Mikal Bridges kept the focus tight on execution and mentality Friday as the Knicks prepared for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Spurs, repeatedly circling back to composure after emotional swings in the series. With New York holding a 3-1 lead heading into San Antonio, Bridges framed the challenge in simple terms: “I think it’s pretty easy for us. I think that’s probably the most I could say. I think it’s pretty easy for us.”
He emphasized separation from external noise after the Knicks’ dramatic Game 4 win. “Maybe the fans and media stuff maybe a little bit more. Can’t control it right now. But as players we know our job’s not finished. So yeah we’re ready.”
Bridges also pointed to experience as a stabilizing factor in high-pressure moments, referencing the group’s shared background. “Yeah, I think, you know, being in college and, you know, Coach Wright did a great job of, you know, teaching us, you know, how to, you know, win and what it takes.”
That continuity includes teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, with whom Bridges won multiple NCAA championships at Villanova Wildcats under coach Jay Wright. He described that shared history as foundational rather than symbolic. “I think that’s what we could take from it is that just knowing how hard it is, you know, to get here and how hard it is to win. I think that’s helped us.”
When asked about mentality heading into closeout situations, Bridges rejected a single framing. “I think it’s both you know 0-0 knowing you don’t get complacent. If you feel like you up in the series, you don’t get that complacency.”
He added that urgency still defines elimination-style pressure even in a best-of-seven format. “And also, yeah, you could go to NCAA where it’s just, you know, winner take all or something, and that’s how you got to feel, you know, you got to go out there. But I feel like that’s every single night, but especially this night, but I think it’s still 0-0 to us no matter what.”
Bridges also addressed the evolution of his teammate Brunson since their college days, focusing on adaptation rather than comparison. “Just being in college every single day for what me and Jalen was together for three years. And our system and all that stuff. Obviously it’s different than, you know, different systems and different teams in the league. But yeah, I think, you know, just coming to New York, he’s just, you know, his game has grown.”
He continued by detailing Brunson’s expanded offensive responsibility. “I think his scoring went up, so just kind of got to figure, you know, feel that a little bit off ball. But, but it’s been great though. I think, you know, his progression, you know, as a scorer and as a playmaker has just been, you know, been great for us.”
Bridges closed by highlighting Brunson’s decision-making and consistency under pressure. “I got a lot of confidence in him. And the thing I know about Jalen, which I always felt like in college as well, you know, sometimes he might feel like cuz how talented he is that, you know, his right read might be him taking a shot when it’s contested.”
He added that growth has come in balancing talent with efficiency. “I came over the years knowing him and being around him where I think it’s a, you know, a pretty good decision for him as well and for the team because he’s that talented. So I think he’s grown as a player.”
