In a pivotal first-round playoff game last month, Detroit Pistons veteran Tobias Harris drove to the basket after Mikal Bridges closed out on him. However, his dunk attempt was met by OG Anunoby at the rim, who successfully swatted it away. New York guard Josh Hart quickly secured the rebound and launched a transition pass to Bridges.
With two defenders ahead, Bridges drove hard to the hoop and finished with a powerful left-handed slam over Cade Cunningham, a play that commentator Ian Eagle described as “a man`s jam!” Bridges` emphatic celebration underscored the moment`s significance.
This specific sequence—Bridges` initial defense, Anunoby`s block, and Bridges` thunderous finish—epitomized the Knicks` strategic vision for their two prominent wings: versatile defenders capable of guarding multiple positions, who also serve as offensive threats, particularly from the corners, punishing opponents when defenses collapse on Jalen Brunson.
Acquiring both the 28-year-old Bridges and the 27-year-old Anunoby required substantial assets and carried perceived risks. Last July, New York sent five first-round draft picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Bridges in a rare intracity trade. Shortly before that, Anunoby was re-signed to a franchise-record five-year, $212 million free agent deal after being acquired from the Toronto Raptors mid-season. Some analysts questioned the significant draft capital and salary cap space allocated to two players who haven`t achieved All-Star status.
Despite the debate over their cost, the Knicks now stand on the brink of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. A significant factor in their success during this tightly contested playoff run, including the opportunity to eliminate the defending champion Boston Celtics in Game 6, has been the performance of Bridges and Anunoby, often defending the league`s top scorers. However, following a challenging Game 5 loss to the Celtics, where the duo struggled offensively and defensively without Jayson Tatum on the opposing side, the Knicks desperately need their two-way wings to rediscover their impact.
Mikal Bridges, known for his incredible durability and “ironman” status with a streak of 556 consecutive games played to start his career, frequently requires significant post-game recovery, often seen with ice bags on his knees.
Before joining the Knicks, Bridges was the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year runner-up and consistently matched up against opposing teams` premier wing scorers like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Jayson Tatum. In his first season under coach Tom Thibodeau, Bridges took on the role of the primary point-of-attack defender, a strategic move designed to lessen the defensive load on Jalen Brunson, who handles the ball more than any other player offensively.
This defensive assignment meant Bridges faced an exceptionally high volume of screens, more than any player in the league`s recent history, illustrating the strategic shift. Furthermore, the Knicks adjusted to playing Karl-Anthony Towns as their primary big man defensively, a change from his previous role alongside elite rim protector Rudy Gobert. Consequently, opposing teams frequently targeted New York`s new defensive configurations involving the offseason additions.
Initially, this strategy presented challenges. Through November, the Knicks` defense ranked 21st, and despite improvements, they were still only 15th by January, a noticeable drop from their ninth-place ranking the previous season. The adjustment period also affected Bridges` offensive rhythm early on. He saw a significant drop in free-throw attempts compared to his time with the Nets, highlighting the shift in his role. This contrasted with Anunoby`s seemingly more seamless transition after arriving from Toronto.
Jalen Brunson acknowledged the process, stating that player development varies, but expressed unwavering faith in Bridges, citing their long-standing relationship.
Despite the initial struggles, there were clear signs of Bridges` developing comfort level and clutch ability. His 41-point game against the San Antonio Spurs showed his scoring potential, while buzzer-beating blocks against the Nets and Hawks, and a crucial block to force overtime against the Bulls, foreshadowed the decisive defensive plays he would make in the playoffs.
A significant shift occurred when Brunson sustained an ankle injury that sidelined him for 15 games, creating a void in offensive initiation for the Knicks.
Backup point guards Miles McBride and Cameron Payne were also out with injuries, further depleting the team`s ball-handling options. While Karl-Anthony Towns is a capable passer, he often works best when offense is initiated for him, as does Josh Hart, who operates more as a secondary playmaker.
Before this period, Bridges and Anunoby`s offensive roles in the Brunson-led system were clearly defined: space the floor, primarily attempting corner three-pointers at a high volume.
With the urgent need for offense, Bridges took on more ball-handling duties and relied increasingly on his midrange game, where he finished the season efficiently. His scoring average increased during Brunson`s absence. Anunoby made an even more dramatic offensive leap, boosting his points per game and improving his efficiency considerably.
Josh Hart commented that while Brunson and Towns are typically featured, both Anunoby and Bridges possess the capability for high-scoring nights and have demonstrated they can rise to the occasion when needed.
Defensively, coach Thibodeau particularly values Bridges and Anunoby for their ability to shut down opponents, a crucial factor in the Knicks` success in tight playoff games. Their versatile defensive skills, allowing them to guard positions 2 through 4, provide flexibility for switching and make life difficult for opposing teams, especially in five-out offensive sets that challenge defenders to protect both the paint and the three-point line while also rebounding.
This defensive prowess has significantly impacted the series against the Celtics. Boston, heavily reliant on three-pointers, has struggled in clutch situations against the Knicks` defense, managing very limited points and makes from beyond the arc, a testament to the defensive effort of the Knicks` wing duo.
Ultimately, Bridges and Anunoby are seen by many as the Knicks` key indicators of success in this series. When they perform well, such as their combined scoring effort in the pivotal fourth quarter of Game 4, the team is incredibly tough to beat. Conversely, off-nights like in Game 5, where they shot poorly and the team defense allowed numerous three-pointers, place an unsustainable scoring burden on Brunson and Towns.
Should Bridges and Anunoby deliver a strong performance in Game 6 to defeat Boston and advance, it would not only validate the significant investment made to acquire them but also potentially position the Knicks as favorites to win the Eastern Conference, exceeding nearly all expectations set before the playoffs.
