Mikal Bridges: Navigating the Storm with the Knicks
Mikal Bridges, a key player for the Knicks, has been a reliable contributor over nearly two full seasons. Averaging 17.6 points on 35% shooting from three last season and 15 points on 37% from beyond the arc this season, Bridges has shown his value. While fans anticipated even higher numbers, the Knicks' success-51 wins last season and a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals-speaks volumes about the team's direction.
Recent Challenges
Lately, Bridges has hit a rough patch. After a stellar 25-point performance against the Spurs on March 1, his production dipped to an average of 7.8 points, with shooting percentages of 41% from the field and 23% from three in the last six games.
Despite this, Bridges remains unfazed about his aggression on the court. “The aggression thing is not an issue at all,” he shared.
“Sometimes you try to get open and sometimes it doesn’t find me. Just try to stay aggressive.”
Bridges’ playing time has also seen a decrease, averaging 33 minutes per game compared to 37 last season, and he hasn’t surpassed 30 minutes in his last four outings. This reduced time coincides with his recent scoring struggles, as he hasn’t reached double figures in those games.
Looking Ahead
For the Knicks to achieve their ultimate goal-the NBA Finals-Bridges' resurgence is crucial. Their ambition was clear after clinching the NBA Cup; they’re hungry for more.
The bright spot? His game against the Spurs, one of the top teams in the West, should inspire confidence.
Despite recent struggles, lineups featuring Bridges remain the most effective for the Knicks this season. When paired with Karl-Anthony Towns, the team boasts a +8.5 net rating.
However, this figure has dropped to -7 in the past six games, highlighting the current hurdles.
The Knicks are hopeful that this challenging period is merely a small bump in the road, not a major obstacle.