It’s been a bit since we talked about the Rangers MSG roommate, but they have been hot of late, so today feels like a good time to dive back into the Knicks. The Orange and Blue have won five of their last six games and sit fourth in the Eastern Conference at 42-28. They have done a great job of weathering a storm of injuries to bounce back and have the record they have. With re-enforcements on the horizon, a deep playoff run still feels possible. We’ll talk about the injured players in a moment, but first we need to highlight an unlikely key performer.

The Deuce is Loose

When the rash of injuries struck the Knicks, someone beyond the regular core of Brunson, Divincenzo and Hartenstein was going to have to step up to keep the success going. While Precious Achiuwa certainly did his part, they needed another member of the bench to provide some more explosive offense. Cue the arrival of Miles “Deuce” McBride, who has been terrific for a few weeks now. In just the last ten games, number two has averaged 11.4 points and 2.5 assists per game, while shooting 46% from three-point land.

He’s impressed beyond the box score though, as the poise he’s played with has allowed him to step up in any situation. His sixteen points at Cleveland with Jalen Brunson injured was his best game yet and from there the youngster has built on the success with solid performance after solid performance, culminating in 29 points in a win at Golden State and 26 at home against the Nets. McBride’s emergence in the rotation is a credit to him personally as he has worked through a lack of consistent minutes for almost two years, to now become a key contributor. Deuce needs to keep playing this well though for the Knicks to have success in the playoffs.

Bad Fit?

While Deuce McBride has stepped up, the Knicks are still waiting on their deadline acquisitions to find their way in the Big Apple. Three-point specialist Bojan Bogdanovic was averaging 20 points per game for the struggling Pistons. But since arriving from the Motor City number 44 has averaged just ten per game. While his minutes have gone down from its peak in Detroit, it just feels like he has been unable to click with his teammates and coach Tom Thibodeau. There is still time for him to make good, but it will only become more difficult from here with the playoffs looming.

Misery loves company and Bogdanovic has it in the person of Alec Burks, who is in his second tour of duty on Broadway. There was hope that Burks could rekindle his success from his first go around with the Knicks, but so far he’s had no such luck. Much like Bogdanovic, Burks minutes have gone down since he arrived in New York, but he just hasn’t look comfortable here. Averaging 7.7 points per game and just one assist is making it difficult for Thibodeau to turn to Burks and use him in the rotation. Perhaps Burks can deliver in the playoffs but right now it feels unlikely that he’ll keep getting chances.

The Road Ahead

With just 12 games left, the Knicks focus is on two things. The first is getting and staying healthy and the second is finishing no worse than fourth in the Eastern Conference. The injury updates are critical as the Knicks returning their key contributors may make or break a deep playoff run. Kicking things off is center Mitchell Robinson who has now gone through full contact practices and will likely return soon as a member of the bench unit, strengthening the Knicks already solid defense. Meanwhile Randle’s prognosis is rather murky, as he works his way back from the dislocated shoulder, with plans to be in the rotation for the playoffs. Rounding out the trio is OG Anunoby, who is dealing with a recurring elbow injury, though he is also expected back for the start of the playoffs.

The remaining schedule above is a bit of a mixed bag for the Knicks as they will face their fair share of fellow contenders and some teams they should handle well. Three matchups with the playoff bubble Bulls in the final week and a half of the season are surrounded by trips to Boston and Milwaukee, while the west leading Thunder and playoff contending Kings visit The Worlds Most Famous Arena. The battles with Milwaukee, Boston, and Oklahoma City will put a premium on winning the games against the tanking teams in Detroit and San Antonio, as well as handling the 10th place Raptors. It should be a fun finish to the season, hopefully one that keeps the Knicks in the fourth seed in the East in an advantageous matchup with the Magic.

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