Mikal Bridges wrong to rely on refs during Knicks…
PHOENIX — Jalen Brunson dedicated the big turnover in Friday’s loss, but Mike Brown agreed that Mikal Bridges didn’t do enough to get the ball back.
“In a situation like that you’ve got to go get the basketball,” the Knicks coach said. “You can’t rely on the officials to make the call. You’ve got to go get the ball and we didn’t get the ball.”
With 13.5 seconds remaining in the 112-107 defeat to the Suns, Brunson’s errant move was deflected by defender Grayson Allen.
Grayson Allen (left) deflects the basketball off Mikal Bridges in the fourth quarter of the Knicks 112-107 loss to the Suns on Jan. 9, 2025 in Phoenix. Getty Images
Still, Bridges was closest to the unfastened ball and eased up on retrieving it because he was ready for it to exit of bounds off the Suns. Instead, Allen chased down ball and threw it off Bridges to full the turnover with the Knicks trailing by 3.
It was the most important play of the night and led to New York’s fifth loss in its past six video games. Bridges, who is averaging a career-low 1.4 free throw makes an attempt per sport, has often prevented contact this season.
The Knicks (24-14) next play on the street against the Trail Blazers (19-20) on Sunday, who are driving a breakthrough season from Deni Avdija.
“They’re a team that’s really rolling right now,” Karl-Anthony Towns said. “They’re hot. And we’re not the hottest team right now, so it’s a good matchup and it’s something that we have to go out there against a really good team and put things together if we expect to leave with a win.”
Brown appears to be dropping religion in a couple of his children and contracted his rotation in Friday’s loss to the Suns, with only three bench gamers logging more than 4 minutes (Jordan Clarkson, Mitchell Robinson and Tyler Kolek).
Mohamed Diawara, the second-round rookie who began twice during Josh Hart’s injury absence, hasn’t performed more than seven minutes in the past six video games.
Kevin McCullar Jr. only logged one minute Friday.
Landry Shamet has been taking “controlled contact” in exercises, according to the Knicks, the next step toward his long-awaited return from a shoulder injury.
The guard was ruled out of Sunday’s sport in Portland, which shall be his twenty fourth straight DNP since his proper shoulder was dislodged from its socket Nov. 22 in Orlando.
As lately as New Year’s Eve, Shamet, who missed about 10 weeks last season after dislocating his shoulder, had not yet been cleared for contact.
Miles McBride is capturing 45 % on 3-pointers, which ranked third in the NBA heading into Saturday among gamers who tried at least 180 treys.
Asked about a potential invitation to the 3-point competitors at All-Star weekend, the guard smiled and said, “I’ve thought about it.”
Miles McBride shoots a jumper during the Knicks’ loss to the Suns. NBAE via Getty Images
But it’s not like he’s been capturing off racks. At least not yet.
“I’ve never practiced it,” McBride said. “It’d be a fun challenge.”
Still, McBride might be a long shot for an invitation, which often goes to All-Stars. He entered Saturday with 81 made 3-pointers, tied for forty third in the league.
The Knicks have never had a 3-point competitors winner. Brunson was their latest consultant last yr, but he didn’t get past the first spherical.
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