Once again, it was Mikal Bridges who saved the day for the New York Knicks.
When the New York Knicks needed another crucial stop to beat the Boston Celtics, it was the All-Defensive wingman who again emerged big-time under the bright lights of the NBA Playoffs.
Mikal Bridges’ clutch steal against Jayson Tatum served as the ultimate highlight of Game 2 as the Knicks sealed a 91-90 victory over the Celtics, securing a commanding 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference Semis face-off.
Going down by as many as 20, New York made another comeback, and it was Bridges’ defensive play that solidified their major triumph.
Bridges’ successful defense against Tatum was a déjà vu of Game 1, when it was the Knicks star who also clamped Jaylen Brown en route to series opener win.
Bridges came out of nowhere to put the reigning NBA champs 2-0 down in the series, which now switches to Madison Square Garden.
After Jalen Brunson sank his foul shots to give the Knicks a one-point lead, Jayson Tatum took charge on the final play.
Tatum gained his desired one-on-one play as he drew Mitchell Robinson. But as he drove to his left, he was then followed by OG Anunoby who applied a defensive help.
As Tatum forced a jump shot, he quickly altered his decision as he tried to pass the ball to Jaylen Brown for the final shot. But in the end, Bridges reached out to get a big hand on the ball and take the game.
Bridges immediately hurled the ball to the other side of the court as the buzzer horned, a similar act he pulled previously in Game 1.
“A hell of a job with Mitch and OG guarding the pick-and-roll. Mitch running them up the line, playing good defense. OG even helping him out, and then I’m just trying to read and react,” Bridges said.
“You know, OG makes him take a tough step-back and I just try to help him win the game.
He added, “It’s just playing basketball and reading, and knowing how much time is left. You have a player like Tatum who shine in those moments and want to get to his spot. So just trying to help my team win.”
Bridges was having a terrible night, held scoreless for the first three quarters, bricking all of his eight field goal attempts.
He stepped up to avoid narratives that the Knicks took an overpay to land him, flipping the switch and scoring all his 14 points in the fourth quarter, as well as delivering the game-winning play over Boston.
Bridges simply credits that “mental toughness” to his beloved mother Tyneeha and his collegiate coach for Villanova in Jay Wright.
“Just how I was raised, you know, my mom was really strong, mentally tough. Growing up, my mom just made me like that.
“And going through experiences, going through college at Nova, Coach Wright at Villanova, he preached mental toughness, and I think that really brought it out of me,” Bridges said.
“I had it growing up, but I think college made it even more, established that, and it’s just who I am.”
The Knicks are now on the driving seat in an unthinkable circumstance against one of the league’s best, and they can’t thank Bridges enough for putting them in this special position.
