The Knicks have come to expect strong fill-in performances whenever Miles McBride is needed in the starting lineup.
He was so needed Thursday night with Josh Hart sidelined with a knee injury, and McBride delivered a season-high 23 points with five made 3-pointers, three steals and three blocked shots in 42 minutes in the Knicks’ 113-111 overtime win over the Bulls.
“It probably was being out there longer, honestly,” McBride said confidently after the game. “I feel like I can make an impact in any way when I’m out there and I’m able to play two ways.”
With OG Anunoby (foot) also sidelined, this marked McBride’s first start in 45 appearances this season, and he made the most of it.
“Whenever he’s in the starting lineup or comes off the bench, he has the same mentality, the same energy,” Jalen Brunson said. “I just love the way he’s grown into the player he is, the way he works, the confidence, the way he’s been successful.
“Very proud of him, very happy for him. Just love to see him out there, whenever he’s out there.”
Billy Donovan starred at Providence under Rick Pitino in the heyday of the Big East in the 1980s, and the current Bulls head coach and Naismith Hall of Fame finalist said he’s “not surprised” that the 72-year-old Pitino has fronted a resurgence at St. John’s this season.
“If you look at all the situations he’s taken over, it’s generally the second year where his teams have made a huge jump,” Donovan said before Thursday’s game against the Knicks at MSG. “I’m really, really happy for him — one, being from New York and two, St. John’s has got incredible tradition and history with their basketball program.
“For me to see him back doing what he loves doing at the level he loves doing in a conference he’s always had great admiration and respect for, I couldn’t be happier for him.”
Donovan, a Long Island native, was a star guard on Providence’s Final Four squad in 1987. St. John’s is in first place in the Big East (14-2, 23-4 overall) in Pitino’s second year at the Queens school.
“He loves the game of basketball. Every waking moment is basketball,” Donovan said. “There are always, I think, challenges that are there, but when you have the level of passion he has and the love of the game, you figure those things out.”
Mitchell Robinson (ankle) also remained out for the Knicks, while forward Patrick Williams (quad) was sidelined for Chicago.
