Jose

Alvarado

The emotions of playing his first Knicks home game may have gotten the best of Alvarado in Tuesday’s loss to the Pacers. There were no such issues for the Brooklyn native on Wednesday, as he took over during the third and fourth quarters. Alvarado shot 8-of-13 from beyond the arc, dropping 26 points while showing why he’s nicknamed “Grand Theft Alvarado” with the five steals. And he recorded that stat line in just 19 minutes. With Miles McBride (core) possibly out until the postseason, Alvarado isn’t a bad pickup in deep leagues, even if nights like Wednesday won’t become the norm.

Alvarado made his Knicks debut on Sunday, and with Miles McBride (core) out for the foreseeable future, the New York City native’s return home takes on added importance. And Alvarado showed what he’s capable of on Sunday, recording a complete stat line in his 25 minutes on the floor. As has been the case with McBride at various points, there were also stretches when the Knicks played Alvarado and Jalen Brunson together on Sunday. For the few who may have been holding out hope for Tyler Kolek to get a few more minutes with McBride out, he did not check into Sunday’s game until there were just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the game was decided.

McBride underwent the procedure on Friday, one day after the Knicks acquired Jose Alvarado from the Pelicans. With the reported timeline, there’s a chance the guard is available to play before the start of the postseason. While they await McBride’s return, the Knicks will rely on the combination of Alvarado (once he joins the team), Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson to fill the void.

This injury is often referred to as a sports hernia. The Knicks just traded for Jose Alvarado, who will help make up for McBride’s absence. Alvarado should be the sixth man, while Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson will still be around to fill out some of the depth minutes when Jalen Brunson isn’t on the floor.

Alvarado will provide some extra depth in the backcourt for New York, meaning he’ll join Miles McBride, Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson in the rotation. Unless more moves are coming, that won’t leave enough minutes for any of them to provide value in standard leagues, barring an injury to a starter. Alvarado’s defense and playmaking should help the Knicks when Brunson is off the floor in the postseason.

Sunday’s game will be Alvarado’s first since January 6, giving the Pelicans additional depth at point guard. With Jeremiah Fears recently moving to the bench, there may not be as many minutes available to Alvarado as there would be if the rookie were starting. Alvarado isn’t a must-add player, but he’s worth keeping an eye on.

Alvarado has not appeared in a game since January 6, when he suffered a strained oblique during a loss to the Lakers. His return may result in fewer minutes for Micah Peavy, who played 16 off the bench in Friday’s win over the Grizzlies. This would not have a significant impact on fantasy basketball.

Alvarado has been out for three straight games, and his absence will extend through at least the end of January. Until Alvarado returns, Jordan Poole and Bryce McGowens should see additional playing time, while Jeremiah Fears continues to hold things down in the first unit.

Alvarado will miss a second straight game, which has allowed Jeremiah Fears to take on extra minutes as the starting point guard. Jordan Poole is filling out the backup minutes, but he was held scoreless in 12 minutes in their last game.

Alvarado appeared to tweak something during Tuesday’s loss to the Lakers, but he was still on the floor in crunch time. The point guard’s sore oblique will keep him out for at least one game, likely resulting in more minutes at point guard for Jordan Poole. Jordan Hawkins could enter the rotation, but there’s no need to stream him.