Mikal Bridges turned in his most impressive playoff performance to date, scoring 25 points on an efficient 11-of-16 shooting, as noted by Steve Popper of Newsday.
This standout game came at a crucial time for the New York Knicks, who acquired both Bridges and OG Anunoby specifically to bolster their ability to defend against the formidable Boston Celtics wings, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
The Knicks will now have the opportunity to put their trade acquisitions to the test in the second round of the playoffs.
Bridges didn’t shy away from acknowledging the challenge that Tatum and Brown pose, describing them as “hell of players” with an array of offensive moves and strong physicality.
However, Bridges emphasized that defending them is never about a one-on-one matchup.
Rather, he stressed the importance of team defense, highlighting the support from his teammates and the collective effort required to slow down such dynamic players.
“Yeah, they’re a hell of players and got moves for days and physical,” Bridges said of the Celtics duo. “Yeah, definitely a challenge, but it’s never one-on-one. You got four guys behind you, your teammates, so it’s just team defense and just helping each other out.”
The second-round series will test the Knicks’ new defensive approach, but with Bridges and Anunoby now in the fold, New York feels confident in its ability to compete at a high level against Boston’s star wings.
Knicks Notes: Brunson, Thibodeau, Bridges, Towns https://t.co/38k0fSxQ8b pic.twitter.com/B1WxjJkT6s
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) May 2, 2025
