Overview
- Josh Hart called the outside criticism unfair following Sunday’s win over the Wizards, saying Mikal Bridges has done what the team asked in a smaller role.
- Coach Mike Brown voiced confidence that Bridges will rebound, citing his work ethic and history as a high-level scorer.
- Since the All-Star break, Bridges has averaged about 10.4 points on 40.6% shooting and 31.3% from three while taking fewer shots than in prior seasons.
- With Landry Shamet sidelined by a sore right knee, Bridges played 30 minutes in the Wizards win and produced 14 points on 6-for-11 shooting with a team-best +28.
- New York is 47-25 with six straight wins and the East’s No. 3 seed, and the price of five first-round picks plus a four-year, $150 million extension sharpens focus on Bridges before the playoffs.