The New York Knicks’ forward Mikal Bridges has been facing ongoing struggles in the early part of the season. In a recent game against Charlotte, Bridges scored only eight points on 3-of-10 shooting and had a team-worst plus/minus rating of -14. Despite playing 37 minutes, he found himself benched for most of the fourth quarter. He was substituted out when the Knicks were trailing by four points with 8:25 remaining, only to check back in for defensive purposes with just 13 seconds left when New York was up by four.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau explained his decision to go with Miles McBride over Bridges during crunch time. Thibodeau cited McBride’s freshness and ability to make shots as factors that influenced his choice. He also mentioned that the team was struggling and needed a change. Surprisingly, Bridges agreed with the decision, acknowledging that he needs to improve his performance.
“I’ve got to play better,” Bridges admitted. “I’ve been inconsistent. Some games I’ve played well, others not so much. I need to find my rhythm within the team. That’s basically it. We’re not even 20 games into the season yet, so I’m still trying to figure it out… I had some sloppy turnovers and allowed my opponents to score while defending inside. I’ll definitely be better.”
Despite leading the NBA in minutes played (averaging 38.1 MPG) throughout his first 19 games, Bridges has experienced a decline in production across multiple statistical categories. He is currently averaging 15.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game – all lower than his career averages. His shooting percentages have taken a hit as well, with three-pointers at an abysmal 30.6% and free throws at a career-worst 61.5%. Additionally, his trips to the foul line have significantly decreased from 4.1 attempts per game in previous seasons to a mere 0.7 attempts per night in the current season.
The Knicks acquired Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets over the summer, giving up a substantial package of draft assets that included five first-round picks (four of which were unprotected) and a pick swap. So far, the return on investment has been underwhelming. However, both Bridges and his teammates remain confident that he will eventually find his footing in New York.
Teammate Josh Hart expressed unwavering support for Bridges after the game against Charlotte. “I’m not worried about him,” Hart stated emphatically. “The media and people are criticizing him, but he’s in a new situation. He’s playing in a different role than he has for the past four years… It’s our job to get him going… And all that talk about what we gave up doesn’t matter. If we win, if we get a championship, no one will care about how many picks we gave up. We could’ve given up 15 picks; it doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, our focus is on winning a championship, and Mikal will be an essential piece of that puzzle.”
As Bridges continues to navigate his new role with the Knicks, there is hope that he will overcome his early-season struggles and make significant contributions to the team’s success. With time and adjustments, he can regain his rhythm and prove why he was such a highly sought-after acquisition for New York.