Jose Alvarado went from playoff afterthought to key bench spark, delivering points and spacing as the Knicks pull away.
Jose Alvarado’s playoff turnaround has become one of the most compelling threads of the Knicks’ first-round run, and it came fast once his number was called.
For a stretch, it looked like Alvarado might be pushed out of coach Mike Brown’s playoff rotation. He missed the action in Game 1, and after the regular season issues around his shooting, his place on the postseason court didn’t seem secure.
But in Game 5. Alvarado reappeared with purpose. playing 12 minutes and scoring 12 points in New York’s 127-97 win over the Hawks at the Garden.. Seven of those points arrived early in the second quarter during a crucial six-minute stretch. when the Knicks widened a lead and made the game feel out of reach.
His resurgence is a reminder that role players are often the difference between a good plan and a winning one, especially when playoff rotations tighten.
Brown had previously pointed to the need for a more natural point guard look after Landry Shamet and Miles McBride struggled in the backup spot earlier in the series.. Alvarado’s performance backed up that decision, and it wasn’t just about scoring in isolation.. His 2-for-3 effort from three on Tuesday addressed the exact concern that kept him on the periphery heading into the postseason.
Meanwhile, the Knicks’ offensive flow was supported by steady contributions around their core.. Mikal Bridges remained in the starting group as expected. while Miles McBride took over when Bridges was subbed out first among the starters.. The timing of those lineup changes helped New York keep momentum rolling. turning a one-point quarter into a 13-point lead by the end of the period.
At the same time, individual moments beyond the box score mattered. Josh Hart sat out after leaving the game with a back injury concern later in the fourth quarter, and the Knicks did not provide an update afterward.
Even with those moving parts, the night stayed anchored by New York’s ability to create distance early and keep it. Alvarado’s rise also highlights how staying prepared can pay off immediately in the playoffs, when coaches adjust and opportunities appear without warning.
In this context, Alvarado’s return wasn’t just a hot streak. It was a clear signal that when the Knicks need extra pace, spacing, or a steadier ball-handling option, they have an answer ready.