Defensive standout Mikal Bridges snags another pivotal steal, propelling the Knicks towards a 2-0 series advantage over the Celtics.
Blockbuster Move: Knicks Trade Away Potential Future for Mikal Bridges
Last July, the New York Knicks pulled off a bold move, trading away four unprotected first-round picks and three players to the Brooklyn Nets in a daring swap for the versatile 6-foot-6 wing player, Mikal Bridges. The Knicks, eager to win now, were confident that Bridges could become a cornerstone for their team.
Fast forward to Wednesday night, and Bridges proved his worth as he stole the ball from Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum with just three seconds remaining, sealing a 91-90 victory for the Knicks at the TD Garden in Boston. Despite missing his first eight shots, Bridges rallied in the fourth quarter, scoring all 14 of his points and leading the Knicks to a 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
In the previous game, Bridges clinched another victory with a steal in the final seconds, demonstrating his resilience and determination as a player. Coach Tom Thibodeau praised Bridges' steady demeanor, highlighting his ability to find ways to help the team win.
The Knicks, currently the No. 3 seed, weren't the only ones who benefited from the offseason trade. Another newly acquired player, Karl-Anthony Towns, racked up 21 points and a game-high 17 rebounds in the win. Former Villanova teammates Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson, who also join the Knicks roster following the trade, added 23 points and 17 points, respectively.
Mitchell Robinson, a standout center off the bench, contributed +19 in 22 minutes, providing valuable contributions at both ends of the floor. Brunson's jumper with 1:59 left put the Knicks up 87-86, marking their first lead of the night, while his late-game layup and free throws sealed the deal.
The threat of live ball turnovers and missed open shots plagued the Celtics, who led 84-68 with 8:40 remaining after a 3-pointer by Payton Pritchard. However, they struggled to score, missing their next 14 shots, before breaking the streak with just over 18 seconds left. Tatum and Brown, Boston's star players, continued to battle shooting woes, with Tatum scoring 13 points on 5 of 19 from the floor and Brown 20 points on 8 of 23.
With their critical road victories, the Knicks find themselves in a strong position heading into Game 3 at Madison Square Garden this Saturday. statistical analysis indicates that road teams holding a 2-0 series lead in a playoff series have a high likelihood of advancing, except for a handful of exceptions. Nonetheless, the Knicks are aware not to take anything for granted, considering their last Conference finals appearance was in 2000.
Mikal Bridges, the central figure in this high-stakes trade, has proven to be a valuable addition to the team, thanks to his crucial defensive plays and impressive fourth-quarter performance.
Trade Background:
In acquiring Mikal Bridges, the Knicks sent away valuable first-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets as part of their strategy to strengthen their roster with high-profile players, such as Karl-Anthony Towns[1][2].
The specific statistics of Mikal Bridges' performance with the Knicks for the entire season are not evident, but he has demonstrated his importance during critical playoff situations, including defensive plays and clutch shots[3].
Enrichment Data:
*## Mikal Bridges Trade History
Mikal Bridges' acquisition by the New York Knicks from the Brooklyn Nets occurred during the 2023 offseason. In exchange for Bridges, the Knicks sent several first-round draft picks to the Nets, including the 26th pick in the 2025 draft[5].*
*## Career Statistics with the New York Knicks
Though details about Mikal Bridges' entire season with the Knicks are not readily available, it is noted that his regular-season performance was somewhat underwhelming. However, his contributions in critical playoff moments, such as defensive plays and go-ahead shots, have proven valuable[1][3].*
*### Notable Achievements and Trends:
- Playing Streak: Mikal Bridges maintained his impressive 556-game career starting streak, which ranks third longest in league history[5].*
- Three-Point Shooting: During the regular season, Bridges struggled with his three-point shooting, managing only a 35.4% success rate[2].*
- Defensive Impact: Although his defensive impact was not as pronounced in the regular season as it was in previous years, he displayed his defensive prowess in critical playoff situations[2][3].*
Overall, while Mikal Bridges faced criticism for his regular-season performance following the trade, his clutch contributions in key moments have helped justify the Knicks' investment in him to some extent[1][3].
- Despite an underwhelming regular season performance, Mikal Bridges demonstrated his importance for the Knicks in critical playoff moments, such as defensive plays and go-ahead shots.
- In the 2023 offseason, the Knicks traded several first-round draft picks to acquire Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets, marking a significant strategy to strengthen their roster with high-profile players.
- In exchange for Bridges, the Knicks sent the 26th pick in the 2025 draft to the Nets, as part of the trade deal.
- Mikal Bridges currently holds the third longest career starting streak in league history at 556 games, a testament to his consistency on the court.
