Miles McBride bucks slump with sizzling shooting to set tone early for Knicks

PHILADELPHIA — Miles McBride was, in his words, “extremely comfortable” with an expanded role as long as OG Anunoby was out.

He proved it on Mother’s Day.

Starting in place of Anunoby, McBride enjoyed a career-best playoff performance as the Knicks drubbed the 76ers 144-114 to return to the Eastern Conference finals for the second time in as many years.

McBride scored 25 points and hit seven 3-pointers in nine attempts, four coming in an early onslaught that made it clear this series was going to end without a return trip to New York City.

In his 29 minutes, the Knicks outscored the 76ers by a team-high 33 points.

“I always feel like I’m going to make shots,” McBride said. “I trust my work, trust my preparation. They left me open.”

McBride had been in a shaky shooting stretch, entering the game 5-for-19 from 3-point range over the previous five games.

He didn’t let it affect his confidence, though.

“He’s just tough-minded,” coach Mike Brown said. “In order to have success in anything you do in life you need to have a short memory, and he definitely has a short memory.”

With a chance to sweep the 76ers out of the playoffs, McBride shined. He bombed away early, scoring 12 points in the game’s first 5:01.

McBride was also terrific, as usual, on the defensive end, and was a big part of the Knicks’ blistering shooting display.

They hit 25 3-pointers in 44 attempts, setting a franchise playoff record and equaling the NBA mark previously set by the Bucks in 2021 and Cavaliers in 2016.

There were loud “Deuce” chants after almost every one of his made triples from the pro-Knicks crowd.

“Deuce — he was unbelievable,” Brown said. “His ability to stretch the floor and create space for others is second to none. He’s got a confidence about him and in himself that just makes us take another level on both ends of the floor.”