Mikal Bridges

With his midrange accuracy approaching borderline-unguardable levels and a chance to leave NBA history’s most see-saw battle with a memorable victory, Mikal Bridges spoiled the Atlanta Hawks’ plans in the most appropriate way possible: an off-balanced 18-footer. One bucket away from finishing his second-half, inside-the-arc takeover in style, the Brooklyn Nets star weighs his options, tilting the scales himself with a pick-and-roll rejection and a hard right-sided drive. Pumping his brakes to free space, Bridges elevates high, drifting into a game-winning pull-up, clinching the first win in Atlanta of his six-year career. Unbothered by a scenario that featured 43 lead changes and 11 ties — the most since the NBA began tracking in 1996 — Bridges’ midrange-focused, 23-point second half tear had a vintage aesthetic in the Brooklyn Nets’ win on December 6, 2023. On fire throughout, Bridges burned the opposition for 32 points, five rebounds, six assists, one block, and three 3-pointers.