Knicks Coach Drops Perfect Line for Mikal Bridges

New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges is on an upward trajectory.
Dec 25, 2024; New York, New York, USA;  New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) gestures after making a three point shot in the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Dec 25, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) gestures after making a three point shot in the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
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New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges started off slow this season, but things have been picking up for him in December, all leading to his 41-point explosion in the team's Christmas Day win against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

In the month of December, Bridges is averaging 22.7 points per game compared to the 14.7 points he had in November.

His meteoric rise has been praised by Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau.

“They say slow and steady wins the race, and that’s what he’s been. If you look at his whole career, he just keeps getting better and better and better," Thibodeau said h/t Posting and Toasting.

“It’s hard to put him in a box because he does everything. He can run the floor in transition. He moves extremely well without the ball. He knows how to create advantages. You can put him in pick-and-roll," he continued. “He’s smart. There’s so many intangibles that he brings to the team. It’s creating big advantages for us.”

While Bridges has been playing far better in December, he isn't getting too high, just like he didn't get too low when he was struggling earlier in the year. Bridges is simply focused on the overall goal at hand.

“I continue to work every day to get comfortable with the team and the system. Teammates have been finding me," Bridges said. “I just want to keep getting better.”

Bridges continues to grow more comfortable with his role within the Knicks, and the more time passes, the better off he will be in the long run.

Bridges and the Knicks are back in action tonight as they travel to central Florida to face off against the Orlando Magic. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET from the Kia Center.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.