Taking Mikal Bridges’ 13-point first quarter statement on the chin, the Portland Trail Blazers didn’t know that it was about to get a whole lot tougher. Finally free of his shooting slump and on his way to what would ultimately become one of the highest-scoring games of his career, the Brooklyn Nets star puts on a clutch exhibit, pivoting into left-handed drive before shaking a defender’s equilibrium with a smooth, overtime-forcing stepback jumper. Unguardable from every area of the floor, Bridges challenged his career-high with 42 points, along with four rebounds, three assists, and four 3-pointers, commendable in a losing effort on January 7, 2024. · Jan 7, 2024