Mikal Bridges addressed the media on Thursday, June 4, ahead of Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, focusing heavily on team execution, defensive structure, and internal standards after Game 1.
Reflecting on Josh Hart’s impact in the opener, Bridges said, “I talked to him after the game and just reading his stat line, I’m just like, I think it was 3-5-6, four steals or something like that. I’m just like, that’s a crazy stat line.”
He expanded on Hart’s overall value, stating, “That just shows how much you impact. And I think even that sheet doesn’t even show what he was doing. So, that’s not even really making shots. So, that just told him how important that is. And obviously his shots are going to come down and they’re going to go in. But just how important he is to this team on both ends.”
On defensive responsibilities, Bridges explained the approach without simplifying the structure, saying, “Yeah, I think it was just trying to be physical. They’re a really good team in the paint, so just trying to keep them guys out of the paint.”
When asked about extended playoff breaks and maintaining rhythm, he acknowledged inconsistency in Game 1 starts, saying, “Honestly, I think our game ones off this break actually haven’t been that great, to be honest.”
He continued, “We put ourselves in some deficits and we fought back. So, if you’re asking me, I don’t think our game ones, even though we won, I don’t think has been great at all.”
Bridges added on the difficulty of playoff rhythm, “It’s tough to simulate the emotional aspect and how physical it’s going to be when you’re in practice every day besides being in those games. So, it’s tough, but sometimes you just got to figure it out.”
He stressed adjustment and urgency heading into Game 2, saying, “We got to be better and I know we will be game two.”
Discussing Jalen Brunson’s ability to play through contact, Bridges highlighted mentality over mechanics, stating, “What are you going to do when you’re banged up a little bit? Are you going to go to the side where you’re just like, ah, I’m a little hurt, I don’t know if I could do it. Or are you going to mentally push through?”
He continued, “But that just shows credit to how he plays the game, how he goes about life. Just got that mental toughness and he’s going to fight no matter what.”
On Karl-Anthony Towns’ defensive growth, Bridges said, “I think it’s just putting it together. I think that’s really it.”
He also noted workload and adjustment, adding, “It just comes with time and ramping up. And he’s shown me personally, and obviously the team, but he’s shown me personally last year leading up to the playoffs.”
Addressing New York’s 12-game postseason winning streak, Bridges described the team mindset, saying, “I think we just got a lot of grit, a lot of mental toughness.”
He also emphasized their approach to avoiding external focus, stating, “We just take it one game at a time. And for us, ever since the playoffs started, just one game.”
He added, “I don’t think we pretty much look at it as eight straight, nine straight, seven straight, whatever it is. We just look at it like win this game and then after that, zero and learn what you got to do to get better for the next game.”
Bridges also praised Jose’s late-minute contribution in Game 1, saying, “He came in and just showed no rattledness and just came ready to play in the biggest moments.”
He concluded, “And that just shows the type of guy, going to be in the biggest moments and he stayed resilient.”
