Miles McBride Shines in Knicks’ Playoff Game Against Celtics

BOSTON — Miles McBride showcased his confidence on Monday night at TD Garden, leading the New York Knicks to a close contest against the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

McBride finished the game with 11 points, marking his highest total of the postseason, shooting 50% from the field and 50% from three-point range. Alongside his scoring, he contributed two rebounds, one assist, and a steal.

“Honestly, I keep trusting myself,” McBride told The Post after the game. “I’m shooting with confidence.” In the previous round against the Detroit Pistons, McBride struggled with an average of 3.8 points per game, shooting just 26.7% overall.

The Celtics have Payton Pritchard, the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year, on their roster. Pritchard, who scored 13 points in Game 1, frequently matched up against McBride, who is regarded as the top bench player for the Knicks.

McBride’s performance was crucial as the Knicks aim to close the gap in scoring from their bench, a persistent issue throughout the playoffs. “Obviously he’s a great player, he’s done great things this season and obviously, [they’re the] defending champs,” McBride noted regarding Pritchard. “It’s a tough matchup for anybody, but we’re going to do it as a team.”

On defense, McBride was instrumental, stepping in for Jalen Brunson during a critical moment when the Celtics were down by three points with just three seconds left in overtime.

“Keeping it simple,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said about McBride’s approach. “Not overthinking, not forcing things. Read the game, the game tells you what to do. Play to your strengths, cover up your weaknesses. When he does that, he’s terrific.”

In the hours following the game, the streets of Boston reflected a mix of emotions among fans. While the Celtics faced scrutiny over their performance, many expressed optimism, suggesting there was still a path to victory in the series.

Despite concerns over missed opportunities, the narrative remained supportive, with some saying, “We got careless and sleepy up 20 … and we didn’t get anything out of Porzingis … and there’s no way we’re gonna miss 45 3s ever again.”

A shift in strategy was noted as the Knicks defended differently, using pick-and-roll switches, giving Boston unexpected challenges from the regular season. As the series progresses, both teams will strategize to secure a win.