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Mikal Bridges follows through in first game after promise to ‘be better’ for Knicks
Mikal Bridges responded to recent criticism of his form by taking responsibility for his struggles, then scored a season-high 18 points in the Knicks’ 106-104 defeat by the Pacers. His improved shooting offered a lift, though New York still lost narrowly.
Before Friday, Bridges had made 32.9 per cent of his shots overall and 26.5 per cent of his three-pointers, and coach Mike Brown had reduced his minutes. Bridges played 17 minutes or fewer in four of the Knicks’ first 11 games, as reserves Landry Shamet and Deuce McBride competed for time on the wing. The Pacers also attempted 25 free throws to New York’s 13; Brown received a technical foul while disputing calls.
In short
- Bridges scored a season-high 18 points after promising to improve.
- The Knicks lost to Indiana 106-104.
- The Pacers had 25 free-throw attempts to New York’s 13.
Explained simply
Mikal Bridges is a forward for the New York Knicks, an NBA team in the Eastern Conference. He joined the Knicks in 2024 after playing for the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets, and is valued for his defence as well as his scoring.
A player’s shooting and minutes can affect how a team uses its substitutes and builds its line-up. Knicks coach Mike Brown oversees those choices, with Landry Shamet and Deuce McBride among the players competing for time on the wing. The result matters to the Knicks’ progress through a long season in which teams compete for a place in the play-offs.