There have been too many games across these past two seasons when it has been too easy to forget Mikal Bridges is in the building. There have been too many times he’ll disappear into the corner and watch his teammates work. There have been too many quiet nights that make it feel like his initial run with the Nets in 2023 — when he averaged 26.1 points for a playoff team — was a fever dream.
Too often, it has felt like Bridges forged James Dolan’s signature to secure his $150 million extension. Too rarely has Bridges felt as valuable as the five first-round picks the Knicks gave away in hopes of elevating their title chances.
But now? Bridges is everything the Knicks imagined.
“I know what he’s capable of,” OG Anunoby said. “He’s an amazing player. He’s been his whole career. I’m not surprised at all. This is Mikal: He’s a great player”
Bridges maintained much-needed aggressiveness on both ends of the floor in his ninth consecutive strong performance, helping the Knicks earn their ninth straight win, 109-93 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals at Madison Square Garden.
Bridges finished with 19 points (9-for-12 shooting from the field), three rebounds, three assists, one steal and no turnovers, repeatedly attacking the paint and delivering from midrange, refusing to settle for 3-pointers, but making the only one he took.
“I’m just taking what the defense gives me,” Bridges said. “I’m just being aggressive. If I’m open, shoot. If not, drive. That’s it.”
Bridges, who had 18 points (7-for-11 shooting) in Game 1, was the unsung hero of the 22-point comeback, shutting down James Harden and hitting a pair of clutch 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.
Less than a month ago, Bridges’ confidence looked shot and his starting job appeared in jeopardy after he finished with zero points in a Game 3 loss in Atlanta that put the Knicks two losses from the end of their season.
Now, the Knicks are two wins from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, buoyed by Bridges’ inspired two-way play.
What’s happening on and off the Garden court
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Bridges is averaging 18.7 points, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals in his past seven games, while shooting 68.3 percent from the field and 44.4 percent on 3-pointers.
Since being held scoreless, Bridges has hit at least half his shots during each victory of the Knicks winning streak while silencing the likes of Harden, Tyrese Maxey and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
“He just started to impose his will on the game a little bit more,” coach Mike Brown said. “I also have to make sure I call his number every once in a while and make sure he stays in the flow because he has a tough assignment every game defensively … I have to make sure I continue to involve him offensively to let him know: ‘Hey, we know you can do this for us. So go do it.’ ”
