New York Knicks rookie point guard Miles McBride and two-way rookie center Jericho Sims gave Westchester a timely lift in a come-from-behind win over erstwhile unbeaten Motor City Cruise, 110-105, Tuesday night at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT.
McBride dropped 10 of his G League career-high 39 points in the fourth quarter as the Knicks went on a 15-7 closing run for their first win of the season after three straight losses.
Motor City Cruise dropped to a 3-1 record.
McBride shot 15 of 26 from the field and went 5 for 9 from downtown. He was all over the court as he collected eight rebounds, seven assists, five steals, and one block in 44 minutes.
“I’m here to learn how to become an NBA point guard and run a team,” McBride said after his scintillating performance.
Sims had a monster double-double, delivering 17 points and 12 rebounds with three assists and two steals in 32 minutes of action.
Deuce McBride has stuffed the stats sheet in only one half: 19p 6r 3a 3s 1b Jericho Sims has 11p 5r. They’re the only Westchester Knicks players in double figures. Knicks trail Motor City Cruise, 63-54 at the half. pic.twitter.com/RRjAEb22l8
— alder almo (@alderalmo) January 12, 2022
The Knicks rookies provided several highlight plays but none bigger than the alley-oop connection that gave Westchester a 100-98 lead with 3:50 left.
Westchester played catchup three-fourths of the way until Sims’ dunk with 7:36 left put the Knicks on top, 93-91. It was a nip-and-tuck affair from thereon until Motor City grabbed a three-point separation on Cheick Diallo’s layup.
? ??? ?? ? ???????
? 39 PTS (career-high)
? 8 REBS (ties career-high)
? 7 ASTS
? 5 STLS (career-high)
? 5 3PM (ties career-high)@deucemcb11 in the win tonight ? pic.twitter.com/PKbH4hdYOm— Westchester Knicks (@wcknicks) January 12, 2022
McBride’s last basket pushed the Knicks ahead, 104-103, then Blake Francis and Jordan Allen iced the contest. Allen was the only other Knicks player in double figures with 11 points.
McBride and Sims are expected to be recalled on Wednesday as the New York Knicks host the streaking Dallas Mavericks at the Madison Square Garden.
Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo