Last summer, the New York Knicks traded for Mikal Bridges to play alongside Jalen Brunson. The idea was that the Knicks needed another reliable scorer to take over when the game is on the line. With the latest injury to Brunson, Bridges is doing just that. His latest game-winner against the Portland Trail Blazers is part of a unique stat.
Mikal Bridges Played in Two Of The Most Unique NBA Games Ever
Last night’s game between the Knicks and the Blazers featured 42 lead changes, the second-most since the NBA began tracking play-by-play data in 1996. The fun part is that Bridges played in the game with the most lead changes as well.
That game featured the Nets and Hawks in 2023, which had 43 lead changes. But here is the most amazing part: both games finished with a Mikal Bridges game-winner and identical score. You cannot script these things. This has to be one of the most amazing stats in recent memory.
The Knicks Need Bridges to Step Up
After losing Brunson to an injury against the Lakers, the Knicks lost the next game against the Clippers. But they have managed to come back to winning and routed the Kings. Now, pessimists might say that they needed a Mikal Bridges game-winner to beat the lowly Blazers. But so far, they are 2-1 without Brunson.
The good news for the Knicks is that after their game against the Warriors, the schedule is a bit friendlier. Their next five games are home against the Heat, in San Antonio, in Charlotte, home against the Wizards, and home against the Mavericks. They also have quite a lot of time for rest, given that their next game is on Saturday against Golden State.
With the Knicks five games behind the Celtics for the second seed and five games ahead for the fourth seed, they are all but guaranteed to finish third in the Eastern Conference.
Knicks Need to Prioritize Rest
With less than 20 games until the playoffs, the Knicks can start thinking about resting their players. Yes, Brunson is out. However, looking at how they are almost locked into the third seed, they need to give their players some minutes off.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau is famous for playing his important players heavy minutes. This year is no different. Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges lead all players in minutes played. OG Anunoby is sixth on that list. There were even reports that Bridges wanted Thibs to decrease the starters’ minutes. Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns also play 35+ minutes per game.
The Knicks have the blueprint for winning as a team. They showed that in a win against the Sacramento Kings. Last year, the Knicks ran out of bodies in the playoffs. To prevent that from happening this year, they should try to reduce the workload on their starters. Brunson’s injury might be a blessing in disguise, as he will be able to rest for a week or two.
Some fans even hope the Knicks rest their players and slip down to the fourth seed. Their reasoning? The Knicks have better chances of competing against the Cavs than against the Celtics in the second round of the playoffs. Of their last eight games, the Celtics have won seven. On the other hand, they are 5-4 against the Cavs in the last nine games.
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