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BOSTON — Mikal Bridges finds comfort in the glow of a TV screen, his long fingers clutching a game controller, a headset resting atop his hair, and his closest friend in the league providing encouragement in his ear.
For several months, Bridges and Knicks teammate Cam Payne have been engrossed in the recently revived College Football 25 game. Recently, however, Bridges has shifted his focus to playing MLB The Show, showcasing his passion for baseball. His signature 3-point celebration — the three-finger salute, a head nod, and his tongue sticking out — is inspired by the San Diego Padres, who used to celebrate extra-base hits with a similar gesture.
This is how Bridges manages to cope with the whirlwind he was thrust into last summer.
“Tonight we’re likely going to get some gaming in,” said Payne, who joined the Knicks on a one-year deal last summer after reuniting with his former Phoenix Suns teammate and friend. “He does the same for me. When I came to the team, I told him I needed him to help keep me grounded, regardless of how things unfold. He replied, ‘I need the same thing.’”
There’s just a short metaphorical bridge between the calm, unremarkable life he once knew and the intense, pressurized environment he now navigates. Bridges was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the New York Knicks, a move that brought with it the hefty price of five first-round draft picks. This staggering return is mentioned on social media every time he has an off night. Upon joining the Knicks, Bridges faced elevated expectations, and his presence heightened the anticipation. It often feels as though every play he makes is scrutinized, as if he’s solely responsible for justifying his worth.
However, throughout a tumultuous season, Bridges has consistently demonstrated resilience. A recent example occurred on Wednesday night in Boston, where he scored 14 points in the fourth quarter after failing to score in the first three quarters, leading New York to flip a 20-point deficit to secure a 91-90 victory, giving them a 2-0 lead over the defending NBA champions. He also made a pivotal steal that thwarted Boston’s last attempt to win. In Game 1, a crucial late 3-pointer from Bridges helped secure an overtime victory for New York, following a dismal shooting night of just 2 for 12. He followed the made shot with an impressive steal in front of the bench and stripped the ball from Jaylen Brown to seal the win.
At this point, the draft picks are not the focus. The Knicks have the Celtics in a challenging position, and Bridges is a significant factor in that, with Payne also playing a vital role as his personal motivator. Their dynamic could be compared to Chuck D and Flava Flav, only in Knicks jerseys. After a lackluster performance, Payne doesn’t hold back. He did it again just before the fourth quarter.
“I can’t share what I said,” Payne laughed. “You’ll find out after the season.”
Initially, the narrative for the first few months surrounding the franchise was that the player who had been acquired with five first-round picks was struggling, leading to speculation that the Knicks might have hindered themselves. Then came Christmas Day, marking the unofficial start to the NBA season, where Bridges erupted for 41 points in a victory against the Spurs, grabbing the attention of the basketball world. It felt like misleading rumors had plagued social media during the previous months.
“Make sure you have your apology letters ready,” said Knicks teammate Josh Hart following Bridges’ Christmas performance. “I’ll be collecting them next game.”
In March, as the Knicks traveled to Portland, an unusual incident occurred between Bridges and coach Tom Thibodeau. During pre-game shootaround, Bridges voiced concerns regarding the heavy minutes the starting players were logging. This made him the first player under Thibodeau to publicly suggest that the minutes might be excessive and revealed that he and Thibodeau discussed the coach’s reliance on his starting five.
That same day, though, Thibodeau refuted the notion that they had actually talked about it. The two had a private meeting before the game, which created some awkwardness and generated the first real drama of the Knicks’ season, much to the curiosity of their fans. Bridges quickly rebounded from the tension, leading the game with 33 points and hitting a buzzer-beating three-pointer as time expired in overtime.
When you ask those who know Bridges best, his capacity to navigate challenging scenarios isn’t surprising. Jalen Brunson and Hart, who both played alongside Bridges during their college days at Villanova, where they clinched a national championship, understand his evolution well. The program, run by head coach Jay Wright, emphasized not only physical toughness but also mental resilience. Players were constantly pushed to their limits, which meant young athletes had to prove they could contribute before they earned any playing time.
Reflecting on their college days, Brunson said, “The way we practiced and prepared for games focused more on the mental aspect than anything else. Then, when you’re in game situations, you’re armed with the experience from practice. When you begin that journey early, you carry it with you as you step into a professional career.”
“He knows how to tune out distractions.”
Bridges commenced his college journey at Villanova as a redshirt, belonging to the scout team. Meanwhile, Hart, being the more experienced player, often struggled with the rigors of practice — a sentiment he still holds in the NBA. To motivate Hart during those sessions, the coaching staff would devise strategies designed to provoke him. Bridges, frequently matched up against Hart in drills, often became the target of Hart’s frustrations as he dealt with the mind games.
“He was a bit of a handful when I first came to campus,” Bridges, who is nearly 18 months younger, remarked. “I had nothing against him, but he definitely had his reservations about me. I think he might have felt somewhat threatened by my 6-foot-6 frame.”
Yet Hart’s challenging demeanor ultimately brought out the best in Bridges.
“Josh was relentless with Mikal at the beginning,” said Villanova assistant coach Ashley Howard. “Mikal wasn’t physically where he would eventually end up, but Josh’s intensity was evident from day one. He was fierce and competitive. What resulted from that was a commitment from Mikal, who as a freshman dedicated himself to improving his physicality, honing his skills, and studying game footage. His practice sessions became his game days, competing against someone like Josh Hart, known for being the toughest competitor on the floor. He pushed Mikal to grow.”
Bridges isn’t without his missteps as a Knick, but the trade feels increasingly vindicated, especially now as New York stands just two victories away from its first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years. In the end, it’s about winning, and Bridges continues to find ways to make significant contributions in the sport’s most thrilling moments.
While criticism toward Bridges has been loud, the accolades he deserves should be even louder — so he can hear them through his headset.
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James L. Edwards III is a staff writer for The Athletic, covering the New York Knicks. Previously, he spent seven seasons covering the Detroit Pistons for The Athletic and worked as a reporter for the Lansing State Journal, where he focused on Michigan State and high school sports. You can follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.
