The New York Knicks announced that veteran guard Landry Shamet will be available for their upcoming game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night. Shamet was listed as questionable due to a neck sprain but has been cleared to participate, according to Knicks coach Mike Brown, as the team pushes to maintain momentum late in the regular season. His return strengthens the Knicks’ bench during a critical stretch when they are relying more on their reserves while awaiting the recovery of key player Miles McBride.
Shamet’s Rising Role as a Bench Offensive Threat
Landry Shamet has quietly emerged as an important scorer off the Knicks’ bench. In their recent 142–103 blowout victory over the Denver Nuggets, Shamet contributed 10 points and three rebounds in just 19 minutes of play. Over the last nine games, his production has notably increased, with averages of 11.7 points, 1.4 assists, 1.4 rebounds, and 2.1 three-pointers made per game. His shooting efficiency stands out, with 50 percent from the field and nearly 39 percent from beyond the arc, providing steady offensive support to New York’s second unit amid injuries and heavy minutes for starters.
Shamet Highlights the Versatility of the Knicks’ Reserve Players
Shamet emphasized how the depth of the Knicks’ bench brings variety that challenges opposing defenses. After a win against the San Antonio Spurs, he commented,
“We’ve got the luxury of having different flavors to kind of bring to the game,”
and added,
“How our bench unit plays can be different at times from how our first five play, and I think that’s important to keep other teams off balance.”
This versatility has played a crucial role during a recent 15–5 stretch that pushed New York into the top ten in defensive rating, including wins over playoff-caliber teams such as the Spurs, Raptors, Rockets, Celtics, Lakers, and Nuggets.
Monitoring the Recovery of Key Guard Miles McBride
Despite the strong contributions from players like Shamet, the Knicks are still closely observing the progress of Miles McBride, a vital figure in their second unit. The fifth-year guard from West Virginia has become essential due to his defensive prowess and effective shooting, but he has been sidelined since undergoing surgery for a sports hernia following the January 27 win against the Sacramento Kings. His initial recovery timeline suggested a six to eight-week period, pointing to a potential return in early to mid-April. Respected insiders continue to express optimism about McBride’s availability for the postseason.
I still think there’s positivity there, things have been going well,
Ian Begley said on SNY.
I don’t think there’s any reason to fret or worry about Miles McBride not being back and ready to go for the postseason. That’s the trajectory that I’ve heard about and talked to people about, and I haven’t heard anything different than that.
Knicks Prepare for Continued Playoff Push With Bench Depth
The Knicks have maintained a cautious approach regarding injury updates, particularly with McBride’s rehabilitation. Nonetheless, the team remains hopeful he will return in time for the playoffs, which is crucial for their ambitions of a deeper postseason run. Meanwhile, players like Landry Shamet continue to fill the gaps, providing scoring and shooting threats that enhance the bench’s effectiveness. As New York builds on its late-season surge, the availability of Shamet adds valuable depth ahead of a key matchup against the Lakers, underscoring the importance of the bench to the Knicks’ overall success.
"I still think there's positivity there, things have been going well.
I don't think there's any reason to fret or worry about Miles McBride not being back and ready to go for the postseason.
That's the trajectory that I've heard about and talked to people about, and I haven't… pic.twitter.com/kpucwAB4E0
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) March 5, 2026
