{"id":139367,"date":"2025-05-13T16:00:07","date_gmt":"2025-05-13T20:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=139367"},"modified":"2025-05-13T15:07:32","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T19:07:32","slug":"mikal-bridges-validates-trade-with-his-biggest-knicks-moment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/05\/13\/mikal-bridges-validates-trade-with-his-biggest-knicks-moment\/","title":{"rendered":"Mikal Bridges Validates Trade With His Biggest Knicks Moment"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the New York Knicks traded five first-round picks and a first-round pick swap to acquire Mikal Bridges<\/a> from the Brooklyn Nets, last night’s performance was exactly what they had in mind. Bridges’ secondary scoring, his perfect fit with the Knicks, and incredible wing defense as part of the duo “Wingstop” next to OG Anunoby<\/a> promised to complete a title-level team. Well, the vision has finally come to fruition, but there were many dark moments along the way.<\/p>\n

Mikal Bridges Validates Trade With His Biggest Knicks Moment<\/h2>\n

Although Bridges had an objectively solid offensive season (17.6 PPG, 3.7 APG on 58.5% TS), Knicks fans demanded better from the guy Leon Rose sent so much future draft capital for<\/a>. He was also very inconsistent defensively with his effort and failed to shut down any of the league’s best scorers. At times, Bridges played so poorly for stretches that the relationship between him and Knicks Nation got somewhat ugly. Even though it obviously wasn’t his fault that New York paid such a hefty price, the expectations placed on Bridges were lofty.<\/p>\n

He Proved his Worth in Game 4 Vs. Boston<\/strong><\/h3>\n

No one will remember Bridges’ mediocre regular season if he delivers throughout a deep playoff run. Well, he’s making fans forget about all of his struggles. With the stakes being higher for a basketball game at Madison Square Garden than they have been in over two decades, New York desperately needed a victory in Game 4. Bridges came through in the biggest way possible, dropping 23 points on 11-21 from the field. He chipped in seven rebounds, four steals, some stellar defense, and was a game-high +14.<\/p>\n

Most importantly, however, was the fourth-quarter mid-range clinic he put on when the game hung in the balance. In the fourth, Bridges went 5-6 from the field, scoring his 10 points on all short-range jumpers. Each one had a ridiculous level of difficulty with a hand in his face, but he proved once again that he’s one of the top mid-range assassins in the sport. With him and Jalen Brunson<\/a>, New York has two of the very best mid-range shooters in basketball. This is crucial come playoff time when the game slows down into a half-court shotmaking contest. Tom Thibodeau should continue to lean into Bridges running action to carve out space for jumpers.<\/p>\n

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Mikal Bridges midrange fadeaway clinic pic.twitter.com\/SJD2Ls2Ctt<\/a><\/p>\n

— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) May 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n