Knicks Star Reveals Origin of Unexpected Celebration

One New York Knicks star detailed the unexpected origins of his trademark three-point celebration.

Nov 15, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) celebrates his three point shot against Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson (2) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

New York Knicks star Mikal Bridges is building bridges between sports.

Bridges has become well-known for his three-point celebration, commemorating his points with various points with an appropriate three fingers. Considering it's a new introduction to Manhattan--joining Jalen Brunson's hand to the mouth--Bridges was queried about his jubilation by Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.

The first-year Knicks offered an unlikely source.

Feb 29, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges (1) celebrates after scoring in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

“The [San Diego] Padres," Bridges admitted, referring to the Major League Baseball team. "The Padres did it years ago when I was in Phoenix. They’d get an extra-base hit and point to the dugout and turn their heads. I was watching that, watching baseball, and thought, ‘That’s something I might do.’”

Bridges, a fan of Padres All-Star infield Manny Machado, has done so and then some, sinking a combined 250 three-pointers over the last two seasons. He has hit 10 over the last five games, including two in his return to Phoenix when he faced his original NBA employers on Wednesday night. New York took a 138-122 decision in a sterling offensive showcase.

It has been a week of homecomings for Bridges, who also endured two visits from the Brooklyn Nets, who sent him to Manhattan back in June in a rare barter between the crossborough rivals. He hit seven from deep in the latest edition of the long-standing pleasantries, giving him plenty of chances to show off his diamond-inspired celebration--much to the chagrin of his former teammates.

"It's annoying," Nets scorer Cam Johnson, the target of several Bridges points, said of the celebration after the Knicks' latter victory on Sunday (h/t New York Basketball on X). "It's very annoying."

"It's annoying. It's very annoying."

––  Cam Johnson being on receiving end of former teammate Mikal Bridges celly pic.twitter.com/3ocb9umzOI

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) November 18, 2024

Bridges is in the process of taking his celebration on tour, as the Knicks are engaged in a five-game road trip that continues on Saturday against the Utah Jazz (5 p.m. ET, MSG/NBA TV).

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