New York Knicks guard Jose Alvarado has quickly become a standout acquisition for the 2025-26 season. His impact on the court has been nothing short of transformative, with impressive on-off differentials that highlight his gritty defensive prowess-a hallmark of New York basketball for decades.
Yet, as brilliant as Alvarado has been, a pressing question looms as the 2026 NBA Playoffs approach: Can he fit alongside Miles McBride?
This is a dilemma the Knicks are eager to resolve, but McBride’s current recovery from sports hernia surgery complicates the timeline. With McBride potentially sidelined until the final weeks of the regular season, the Knicks may not have ample opportunity to assess the viability of an Alvarado-McBride backcourt duo.
Head coach Mike Brown might consider staggering their minutes to explore their individual contributions without pairing them directly. However, this strategy still leaves the challenge of integrating one of them with fellow undersized guard Jalen Brunson.
The core issue: Can the Knicks realistically compete in the playoffs with three guards, all 6'2" or shorter, receiving significant playing time?
Alvarado, standing at 6'0", has averaged 16.7 crucial minutes per game since joining the Knicks. During this period, he's contributed 6.1 points, 3.7 assists, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. Despite some shooting inefficiencies, his overall impact has been overwhelmingly positive.
The Knicks have outscored opponents by a staggering 21.8 points per 100 possessions with Alvarado on the floor over 250 minutes. While this number may level out as he logs more time, it underscores his defensive intensity and playmaking, which have bolstered New York’s second unit.
Yet, McBride’s contributions cannot be overlooked. The Knicks are outscoring opponents by 10.3 points per 100 possessions with McBride on the court and 4.2 when he isn’t. His defensive energy, scoring ability, and elite three-point shooting at 42.0 percent on 6.9 attempts per game make him indispensable to the Knicks' success.
Given Brunson’s established role as the franchise cornerstone, Alvarado might find himself squeezed out of the rotation. It’s a tough situation given his stellar performance, but one that Coach Brown must navigate.
If the Knicks can find a way to utilize Alvarado in the playoffs, his defensive prowess could be a game-changer, electrifying Madison Square Garden and potentially tipping the scales in New York’s favor.