Mikal Bridges came away with the game-sealing steal against the Celtics on Wednesday. And in Game 1 on Monday, his late three-pointer helped the Knicks secure victory in overtime. James L. Edwards III of The Athletic writes that while Bridges’ tenure in New York started off on the wrong foot, no one is thinking about the draft picks the Knicks gave up to acquire the defensive-minded wing with the Celtics on the ropes.
“Get your damn apology forms out,” teammate Josh Hart said. “I’ll be collecting them next game.”
As Edwards writes, Bridges’ performance reflects his ability to overcome adversity.
“Going back to our days in college, the way we practiced and prepared for games, it was more mental than anything,” Bridges’ Villanova and Knicks teammate Jalen Brunson said. “Then, when you get to the game situations, you’ve practiced it and been prepared for it. When you do that at a young age and have that in your repertoire going into a professional career, you have that in your back pocket. He has the ability to block out the noise.”
We have more from the Knicks:
- Mitchell Robinson proved to be a major force for the Knicks in their Game 2 win, Zach Braziller of the New York Post observes. The Knicks outscored the Celtics by 19 points with Robinson on the court and he recorded six points, eight rebounds and three steals in the win.
- Brunson opened Game 2 on a rough note, shooting just 23.1% from the field through three quarters. However, in crunch time, the 2024/25 Clutch Player of the Year showed up, Jared Schwartz of the New York Post writes. He wound up scoring nine points in the fourth quarter to help lift New York over Boston. “That’s Jalen,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “It doesn’t matter what’s going on in the game, he’s going to be at his best when his best is needed.”
- Add Karl-Anthony Towns and Hart to the list of players who stood out when their numbers were called, Schwartz and the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy write in separate stories. “KAT, the way he started off the game was great for us,” Brunson said. “The way he’s been throughout the entire season, he’s been one of the best teammates we have. The way he gives us energy and the way he goes and gets rebounds and what he does, it doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s just the way he’s been.“
I mean Bridges didn’t have a great season. He deserved most of the criticism. Glad he is having playoff success but not really an I told you so. This was the expectation all along.
Towns and Bridges are new to the team this year. So expectations vary depending on your knowledge of the game and Knicks. Yes the season was short of expectations. Unfortunately never fixing the bench added to those failed expectations. Where Bridges needed to bring more offense. Towns had to be better on defense. I’d say both fell short on that.
Great thing about team building. When it isn’t a finished product. You still have a chance and time. To try and fulfill those missed opportunities. The playoffs are here. And both are playing a major part in team success. I go back a long time as a true Knick fan. I can assure you building in NY is not easy to do. No one has the patience for it. So it never gets done right. Thibs is a life long Knick fan. His dad raised him to be one. So he knows exactly where he is. It’s why I have always supported his vision to see this thru.
We know Knicks are fortunate to be here. Well they have earned the right to do this. Injuries happen every year. You just have to stear your way thru it. Knicks have a great opportunity to get out of East. I know they aren’t going to blow it. Thibs and this team have been thru it all. And here we are 2 up on Celtics. And possibly the Pacers waiting. Two more wins first. Both Bridges and Towns have a great opportunity now. To show up in MSG and be serenaded with the respect they deserve. NYK
“In Thibs we Trust”