Inside The Nets

Mikal Bridges' Thoughts on him Being Known as the NBA's Iron Man

Bridges boasts an impeccable record of never missing a game in his NBA career, earning him the moniker "Iron Man."

Peter Sunjic

© John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
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Ever since he started playing professional basketball in the NBA, Mikal Bridges has missed a game. In fact, he even played 83 games in the regular season when he was traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Brooklyn Nets.

Mikal takes pride in his durability, consistently demonstrating a strong desire to play. Despite occasional nagging injuries, he prioritizes self-care, ensuring he is ready for every game.

“It’s all about being blessed, and everyone’s built a little bit differently like their body and their bones. I could roll my ankle, it’ll swell for a little bit and I’ll be alright but some people might roll their ankle and their ankle gets fat,” Mikal Bridges said on House of Highlights’ The Reel. “It’s a ‘Nova thing where I kinda take with me and never left about never missing a game and coach (Jay) Wright was big on unless you’re really hurt, you’re playing in the game.”

The Iron Man streak goes back to his high school days

Mikal's consecutive games streak extends beyond his NBA career; he hasn't missed a game since his junior year of high school. This durability was evident at Villanova, where he played all 116 games for the Wildcats.

What coach Jay Wright wanted to get from his players resonated with Bridges and he has carried that mentality up to today. He continues to go out on the floor every night and play hard on both ends. 

The Brooklyn Nets are glad to have a reliable player

Despite the Nets' injuries this season, Bridges has been a consistent presence, contributing high-scoring performances and maintaining his status as one of the league's premier defenders. Mikal's dedication to playing for the team, regardless of challenges, is something the Nets' fanbase can truly appreciate.

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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