They often refer to the NBA’s taxing, physically-grueling environment as a “next man up” operation. But, after battling through 42 lead changes, 14 ties, and countless tests of one’s resilience, the New York Knicks found themselves face-to-face with a most unenviable question: how easy are adjustments when the missing player is the Association’s No. 1 crunchtime producer? Unbothered by the pressures in play — nor the absence of his All-NBA floor general — Mikal Bridges verifies the theory regarding who the “most dangerous man” is during inbounds situations, immediately turboing towards his own outlet pass with two defenders lagging behind. Elevated into his unique form before Donovan Clingan can get a full-on contest, Bridges claims both victory, and the hearts of 17,510 in attendance through a crowd-silencing trifecta. Rock steady during one of 2024-25’s most back-and-forth encounters, Bridges enjoyed his second-highest-scoring output in Knicks colors, burning the Portland Trail Blazers’ defense for 33 points (on 13-of-21), alongside a four-rebound, four-assist, one-steal, one-block, two-triple complement on March 12, 2025. · Mar 12, 2025