Mikal Bridges

The Portland Trail Blazers’ future might be bright enough to require sunglasses, but on the list of sights even they preferred not to see in 2024-25, one rested near the top: Mikal Bridges with possession and the clock winding down. Before the anxiety of March 14’s game-winning triple against Portland had even ceased, the Big Apple’s newly-acquired swingman was back for more, testing the “Nova Knicks’” long-distance connection on a one-legged, 37-foot 3-pointer through traffic to close March 30, 2025’s first quarter. As the lyrics in their commercial famously sang, it became a “long day” for Portland, as Bridges parlayed his efficient shooting (12-of-22) into a 28-point demonstration, accompanied by two rebounds, seven assists, one block, two 3-pointers, and a +14 plus-minus. Gearing up for a run that eventually left them possessions shy of the NBA Finals, Bridges helped keep the New York Knicks’ binoculars zoomed in on the postseason, and East’s No. 3 seed.