Six threes won’t solve the Knicks’ new point-guard concern

October 25, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

2026 Knicks game and preseason archive, not a photograph of Alvarados ankle injury. Oct 20, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) celebrates his three point shot against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

I’d give Miles McBride plenty of chances to keep shooting. I wouldn’t respond to Jose Alvarado’s ankle injury by automatically making the Knicks’ hottest reserve responsible for every other guard job, too.

Alvarado appeared on the injury report Saturday as questionable for Orlando with a left ankle sprain. If he can’t play, New York will need to replace some ballhandling as well as minutes. Those duties don’t have to land with the same player.

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2026 Knicks game and preseason archive, not a photograph of Alvarados ankle injury. Oct 13, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) drives to the basket against the Toronto Raptors during the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Knicks need to separate shots from organization

McBride scored 20 points against Boston on Friday, making six of eight threes in 30:05. He also finished with one assist and no turnovers. He gave the Knicks a valuable scoring night without that automatically becoming evidence he should run the entire second unit.

One assist doesn’t prove he can’t create for teammates. It does warn against using six made threes to answer a different question. The shooting performance and the potential backup-point-guard vacancy deserve separate evaluations.

Alvarado had two assists and three turnovers in 10:46 against Boston. His availability wouldn’t eliminate the need for cleaner reserve possessions, but losing him would change which combinations Mike Brown can try.

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Leave room for a second ballhandler

My starting point would be to stagger Jalen Brunson’s minutes so McBride isn’t always being asked to create the first advantage. A brief Tyler Kolek audition alongside him is another option if Alvarado sits. That would be a test of a combination, not a claim Brown has announced a new rotation.

There are costs either way. A smaller backcourt can create a defensive matchup to manage, and another guard doesn’t help if he can’t keep the possessions organized. McBride may end up handling more himself because that group works best.

I’d just want that decision to come from the way the lineup functions. McBride has earned scoring opportunities. Protecting those opportunities while covering an injury would be a better response than making one hot night an audition for three jobs at once.

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