The Knicks are expected to be judged by what they do in the playoffs, and Mikal Bridges is no exception. After a regular season that drew plenty of scrutiny, Bridges enters the postseason with a track record of making timely plays when the pressure is highest.
That history matters in New York, where last year’s playoff run changed how his season was remembered. Bridges delivered several decisive moments against Boston and Detroit, showing he can still swing a series even when his overall scoring load stays modest.
A playoff role built on impact, not volume
Bridges said earlier this month that postseason basketball brings a different level of intensity. “Playoffs are fun and real amped up and a lot of aggression, a lot of thinking,” he told The Post, adding that the goal is simply “to do whatever it takes to win.”
He did not frame his game as something that transforms in the playoffs. Instead, Bridges said every player wants to rise to the moment and that his focus stays on doing enough to help the team succeed.
That approach fits the role he has been given in the Knicks’ offense. Head coach Mike Brown has made the hierarchy clear, with Jalen Brunson first and Karl-Anthony Towns second, while OG Anunoby usually sits ahead of Bridges in the pecking order.
Criticism has followed the trade price
Bridges has carried more outside pressure than most Knicks because the team gave up five first-round picks to get him. His regular-season scoring has not always matched that cost, and that has made him a frequent target for criticism.
Even so, teammates have pointed out that his shot volume does not tell the full story. Josh Hart told The Post that Bridges could score more if he were asked to take more shots, but that is not the assignment in this offense.
Bridges has also been open about the idea of sacrifice. After practice Friday, he described the mindset as “Sacrifice for your brothers,” and he said the job includes “Putting your body on the line” to help teammates.
Why the postseason still suits him
Bridges has already shown how quickly his value can change once the games get tighter. In the playoffs last year, he made some of the Knicks’ biggest defensive and late-game plays, including a steal on Jaylen Brown in the final seconds of overtime to clinch Game 1 of the second round against Boston.
He followed that with another clutch steal on Jayson Tatum to seal Game 2, then later hit a game-tying tip-in with 35.1 seconds left in Game 6 against Detroit, a game in which he finished with 25 points.
Those moments helped define his postseason reputation more than any regular-season box score. On a veteran Knicks team, Bridges has as much playoff experience as anyone, and that familiarity gives him a role that is not measured only by touches or scoring totals.
“That’s kind of what I’ve known,” Bridges said. “It’s kind of my DNA.”
Read more at: nypost.com
