Knicks, Miles McBride Make NBA Playoff 3-Point History in Game 4 Rout of 76ers

PHILADELPHIA — The sun was shining bright over the City of Brotherly Love on Sunday, with temperatures hitting a balmy 72 degrees. But inside the Xfinity Mobile Arena, the forecast called for a different kind of weather: a torrential downpour of three-pointers. The New York Knicks, led by an unlikely hero in Miles “Deuce” McBride, didn’t just beat the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 4. They drowned them in a historic flood of deep-range firepower, completing a stunning 4-0 sweep and etching their names into the NBA playoff record books.

What we witnessed on Sunday was not just a victory; it was a statement. The Knicks tied the all-time NBA playoff record for most three-pointers made in a single game, drilling 25 of 44 attempts from beyond the arc. That’s a blistering 57% efficiency from downtown. And at the epicenter of this shooting storm was a third-year guard who started the season on the fringes of the rotation. This is the story of how Miles McBride became the spark that lit a historic fire.

Deuce Unleashed: The McBride Masterclass

When the Knicks announced that OG Anunoby would be sidelined with a hamstring injury, the collective groan from New York fans was audible. Anunoby has been the team’s defensive anchor and a vital cog on offense. Inserting Miles McBride into the starting lineup felt like a gamble. It turned out to be a jackpot.

McBride didn’t just fill the void; he created a new dimension. With the 76ers focused on stopping Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, the space opened up for the third-year guard like the Red Sea parting. And Deuce made them pay. Every. Single. Time.

He finished the game with a perfect shooting clinic: 7-of-9 from three-point range. But the numbers don’t tell the full story of the psychological damage he inflicted. In the first quarter, with the game still hanging in the balance, McBride went on a personal 9-0 run. Three straight possessions. Three straight three-pointers. Each one deeper, each one more confident, and each one sending a shockwave through the Philadelphia bench.

“They left me open,” McBride said with a wry smile at his locker after the game, his voice calm but his eyes burning with conviction. “This is what I expect to do. That’s why the coaching staff trusts me, my teammates trust me. And I trust my work.”

That trust was earned in the shadows. McBride, known for his tenacious on-ball defense, has spent countless hours refining his jumper. He has transformed from a defensive specialist into a legitimate three-level threat. His release is quick, his mechanics are repeatable, and his confidence is now absolutely unshakable. Against the 76ers, he wasn’t just a role player; he was a primary weapon.

Breaking Down the Historic Shooting Barrage

The Knicks’ 25 made threes ties a record previously set by the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. But context matters. This wasn’t a game played in the regular season against a sleepy defense. This was a Game 4 on the road, with the 76ers fighting for their playoff lives. And the Knicks shot them out of the gym.

Here is a breakdown of the historical shooting performance:

• Total Makes: 25 (Tied NBA Playoff Record)
• Total Attempts: 44
• Shooting Percentage: 56.8%
• McBride’s Contribution: 7-of-9 (77.8%)
• First Quarter Impact: The Knicks hit 8 threes in the first 12 minutes, setting the tone for the rout.
• Bench Contribution: The bench unit didn’t let up, maintaining the relentless pressure from deep.

What made this performance so devastating for Philadelphia was the spacing. Every time a Knicks player touched the ball, the defense had to respect the three-point line. This opened up driving lanes for Brunson and post-up opportunities for Towns. The 76ers were caught in a classic defensive dilemma: collapse on the stars and leave shooters wide open, or stay home and get cooked by the stars one-on-one. They chose the former, and McBride made them regret it.

This game serves as a blueprint for modern playoff basketball. The Knicks proved that pace, space, and confidence from deep can neutralize any defensive scheme. They didn’t just win the game; they broke the spirit of a team that thought it had home-court advantage.

Coach Brown’s Tribute and the “Mother’s Day” Factor

In the post-game press conference, head coach Mike Brown was effusive in his praise, but he made one thing very clear: the credit for Deuce’s toughness doesn’t belong to the coaching staff. It belongs to his mother.

“It’s Mother’s Day. Get that correct. It comes from his mom,” Brown said, pointing a finger for emphasis. “[Deuce is] just tough. He’s tough. He’s a football player, you know? In order to have a chance in life and at anything you do, you have to have a short memory, and he definitely has a short memory.”

That “short memory” is a superpower in the playoffs. Miss a shot? Next one. Make a mistake? Next possession. McBride embodies that mentality. He doesn’t dwell on the past, he attacks the present. His defensive tenacity—the “football player” mentality Brown referenced—was on full display as he hounded 76ers guards, forcing turnovers and creating transition opportunities.

Brown also highlighted the symbiotic relationship between McBride and the stars. “Obviously, all of our guys, starting with Jalen and KAT, were really good, but Deuce — he was unbelievable,” Brown added. “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.”

This is the key insight. McBride doesn’t just benefit from the gravity of Brunson and Towns; he adds to it. Defenses now have to game-plan for a player who was once an afterthought. That is a luxury that will make the Knicks incredibly difficult to guard as they advance.

The Bigger Picture: What This Sweep Means for New York

Sweeping the 76ers is a massive achievement, but the way the Knicks did it sends a chilling message to the rest of the Eastern Conference. They are not just a team that grinds out ugly wins. They are capable of explosive, record-breaking offensive eruptions.

Key Takeaways and Predictions for the Knicks Moving Forward:

• Miles McBride’s Role is Secure: Even when Anunoby returns, McBride has earned significant minutes. He is the ultimate plug-and-play weapon—elite defense and a nuclear three-point shot.
• The “Towns Effect” is Real: KAT’s ability to stretch the center position is the engine of this offense. He pulls bigs away from the rim, creating chaos for the defense.
• Brunson’s Efficiency: With the floor so spaced, Jalen Brunson can operate in isolation without facing constant double teams. He will be a nightmare for any remaining opponent.
• Depth is a Weapon: The Knicks bench, which includes shooters and defenders, can now rest starters without losing the offensive rhythm.

Prediction: The Knicks will enter the next round as heavy favorites. If they maintain this level of three-point shooting, they have the firepower to compete with any team in the league, including the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks. The key will be consistency. Can they replicate this shooting performance against a more disciplined defense? The signs are promising. The confidence is palpable.

Conclusion: A Historic Downpour in Philadelphia

As the final buzzer sounded on Sunday, the Xfinity Mobile Arena fell silent, save for the celebratory shouts from the Knicks’ locker room. The 76ers were sent home, their season ended not by a slow bleed, but by a sudden, historic flood of three-pointers.

Miles McBride walked off the court with a game ball tucked under his arm, a testament to a performance that will be remembered in Knicks lore. He didn’t just start a game; he started a conversation. Is this the moment the Knicks become legitimate title contenders? If Deuce keeps raining threes like it’s a monsoon, the answer is a resounding yes.

On a sunny Mother’s Day in Philadelphia, the Knicks made history. They didn’t just beat the 76ers. They washed them away. And at the center of the storm was a kid named Deuce, who finally got his chance to shine—and boy, did he ever deliver. The rest of the NBA has been put on notice: the Knicks are deep, they are confident, and they are raining fire from downtown.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.