Miles McBride: Battling Back from a Painful Injury
Imagine a stabbing sensation in your groin, hip, and abdominal area – all at once. That’s the reality Miles McBride faced after sustaining a sports hernia in late January, requiring core-muscle surgery and sidelining him for two months. His return to the court on March 29th against the Oklahoma City Thunder was short-lived, as an aggravated injury forced him out of the game. However, McBride was back in action just two days later for the Knicks’ matchup against the Houston Rockets.
A Grueling Recovery Process
McBride described the pain as a “painful tweak,” acknowledging that some setbacks are simply unavoidable during the recovery process. He vividly explained the injury to those unfamiliar with it: “It’s like someone stabbing your groin, hip and ab at the same time. It’s not fun, but I’ll get back right.” The surgery successfully tightened the core area initially injured on March 27th against the Sacramento Kings, but the demanding nature of basketball – diving for loose balls, physical defense – presented a risk of re-aggravation, a possibility the medical team had prepared for.
“It’s really just a part of the recovery process,” McBride explained. “Basically everything was tightened, and now I’m back to moving around, so it’s just part of it.”
Performance Post-Surgery
Prior to the surgery, McBride was enjoying a breakout season, averaging 12.9 points while shooting 42.2% from three-point range. His return has been a slower process, with 15 points on 5-of-22 shooting from the field and 5-of-17 from beyond the arc in four games since his comeback (though he showed improvement in his last two games, shooting four-of-nine combined). Both McBride and the team anticipated a gradual return to form.
“It’s a tough thing to be out so long, have a surgery in the middle of the season,” he said. “So just leaning on God, my teammates and my work ethic and I’ll be good. I’ll do whatever I can do to help this team.”
Contract Extension on the Horizon
McBride is in the second year of a three-year, $13 million deal and will be eligible for a contract extension this summer. His performance and continued recovery will undoubtedly play a significant role in those negotiations.
Mohamed Diawara Navigating a New Role
Knicks rookie Mohamed Diawara is also adjusting to a changing role. After becoming a rotation mainstay early in the season due to his three-point shooting and defensive versatility, he has recently found himself out of the rotation as the Knicks prepare for a playoff push. Diawara remains positive, emphasizing the support he receives from the team.
“I mean, the team is here for me,” Diawara told the Daily News. “I know it’s a tough position for me to be in…to play and then to not play…but the team is here for me: my teammates, the coaches, everybody’s been giving me advice.”
Diawara, averaging 3.6 points on 39% shooting from deep over 67 games, is focused on learning and improving. He acknowledges the challenges of his current situation but remains committed to being ready when his number is called. He also noted the strong support from the Knicks fanbase, even if he doesn’t actively engage on social media.
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