The Knicks‘ second unit had found its rhythm against the Pacers, and Miles McBride was right at the center of it. He couldn’t miss from deep, knocking down all four of his three-point attempts and racking up 15 points. Against Indiana’s up-tempo pace, though, his spark was exactly what New York needed… But then his fitness concerns unfortunately knocked on the door.

Cleared to play despite being questionable with an injury, he lasted just eight minutes against the Hawks on Wednesday. McBride barely had a chance to make an impact before his night was cut short. He took one shot and didn’t score before the Knicks ruled him out in the third quarter with a rib contusion.

Karl-Anthony Towns was on fire, pouring in 39 points through three quarters, but the Knicks’ bench? Pretty much nonexistent. By the time McBride left the game, New York’s reserves had barely made a dent in the scoreboard with just two points.

Even by the end of the third, that number only climbed to four. Meanwhile, the Hawks’ bench actually showed up, with Georges Niang and Caris LeVert putting up 16 and 14 points, respectively.

The Knicks didn’t exactly have a full squad heading into this one. OG Anunoby was still out nursing the right foot sprain he suffered against the Lakers. Mitchell Robinson remained on the sidelines, still recovering from ankle surgery. The Knicks somehow held a slim 104-101 lead heading into the fourth.

The Knicks bench, which showed signs of life against the Pacers, is dead again against the Hawks.

The Knicks need to sort their second unit with Miles McBride out as well…

Despite ranking dead last in scoring, the second unit played a key role in securing New York’s 8th win in 10 games before their matchup against the Hawks.

Landry Shamet had chipped in 11, while Cameron Payne, stepping up with Jalen Brunson in foul trouble, added nine points and eight assists against the Pacers.

Tom Thibodeau didn’t hold back in praising them. “We needed it,” the HC said before Wednesday’s game at MSG. “Jalen and KAT were in foul trouble, and those guys gave us a big lift. They played fast, shared the ball, made the right reads.”

Precious Achiuwa also made his presence felt, filling in for OG Anunoby, who’s still sidelined with a foot sprain. Achiuwa put up 9 points and grabbed 12 boards, continuing to prove his value in a depleted rotation.

“With how shorthanded we are, his versatility is huge,” Thibodeau noted. “He can play multiple spots, crash the boards, switch defensively—he’s a big help.” The starters can’t carry the load forever.

New York’s bench averages just 21.7 points a night—the worst in the league.

Tonight against the Hawks, Shamet and Payne were disappointing. In 18 minutes of playtime, Shamet has scored only 4 points, one assist, and a board. Payne was a little better, with 10 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds in 15 mins.

The hope that was given against the Pacers by the bench has been lost. If the Knicks really want to be contenders, they need to fix their second unit problem. Period.