Mikal Bridges Shines in Knicks’ Playoff Quest

Over the past couple of seasons, Mikal Bridges has sometimes felt like a ghost on the court, often fading into the background while his teammates took the spotlight. It’s hard to believe that just last year he was scoring an impressive 26.1 points per game during the Nets’ playoff run—was that even real?

Rumors float around that Bridges might have “forged” James Dolan’s signature to land a hefty $150 million contract extension, which, honestly, seems far-fetched. Still, the five first-round picks the Knicks parted with to improve their championship prospects must mean a lot to him.

But now? Bridges is exactly what the Knicks envisioned.

“I know what he’s capable of,” said OG Anunoby. “He’s been a great player throughout his career. Honestly, I’m not even a little surprised.”

In Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden, Bridges showcased his aggressive play style on both sides of the court. He contributed to the Knicks’ victorious streak with a solid performance, leading them to a 109-93 win.

With 19 points on 9-of-12 shooting, Bridges also grabbed three rebounds, dished out three assists, and remarkably had no turnovers. He was methodical, mixing up his attacks, opting for drives instead of settling for long-range shots—though he nailed the one three-pointer he attempted.

“I just take what the defense gives me,” Bridges explained. “I’m being aggressive. If I’m open, I shoot. If not, I drive. That’s all there is to it.”

In the previous game, he scored 18 points, stepping up during a crucial 22-point comeback by helping to neutralize James Harden and hitting two pivotal three-pointers late in the game.

Just a few weeks back, though, he faced a major struggle. After a scoreless performance in Game 3 against Atlanta—a game that eliminated the Knicks—his confidence was shaky, and his starting spot felt precarious.

Now, the Knicks stand just two victories away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, thanks in large part to Bridges’ revitalized two-way play.

He’s been turning heads with averages of 18.7 points, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 steals over the past seven games while shooting a remarkable 68.3 percent from the field and hitting 44.4 percent from beyond the arc.

Since that disappointing outing, Bridges has become a key player during the Knicks’ winning streak, successfully defending against top talents like Harden and Tyrese Maxey.

Coach Mike Brown noted, “He’s beginning to assert himself more in games. But I also have to remind him to stay engaged offensively, especially since he faces tough defensive challenges nightly. I keep telling him, ‘I know you can do this for us, so just go for it.'”