Mikal

Bridges

Anunoby didn’t have his best night, but he matched his season high with three three-pointers. He hasn’t started as slowly as teammate Mikal Bridges (nine points, six rebounds, four assists, one block and one three-pointer), but OG is shooting just 38 percent from the field this season. He’s done enough in other categories to still provide top-100 value, but most fantasy managers were hoping for more.

On a night when Mikal Bridges (six points, two rebounds, one steal and one block) shot 1-of-7 from the field, Knicks head coach Mike Brown called on his bench. Shamet led the charge, shooting 4-of-6 from beyond the arc and playing 30 minutes to Bridges’ 16. Shamet’s production isn’t enough to make him worth rostering in 12-team leagues, but he can offer points and three-pointers, as he did on Monday.

After playing a season-low 13 minutes in Wednesday’s win over the Bulls, Bridges appeared to get the message on Friday. He matched his season-high with 12 points and added a few steals for good measure. Bridges’ fantasy value remains low, but Friday’s effort was a step in the right direction.

While we aren’t going to proclaim Bridges “back” after a rough first week, Tuesday’s performance was much needed. He shot 4-of-8 from three against the Pistons, including 2-of-4 in the second quarter. New York outscored Detroit 26-12 in the period, rebounding from a slow start. Bridges can be a valuable fantasy option, but many managers were getting close to the point where they had to seriously consider cutting bait. Tuesday’s performance may buy him a little more time.

While Mikal Bridges (six points, five rebounds, one assist, and one block) continues to offer limited fantasy value, Hart has started strong. The Knicks’ wing posted a strong stat line on Sunday and has been a top-50 fantasy player through the first week of the season. Expecting Hart to sustain that isn’t realistic, given all that he brings to the table. That said, some managers may consider selling high before Week 2.

After totaling nine points in Games 3 and 4 of the NBA Finals, Bridges cracked double figures in Saturday’s series clincher. On a night when Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby shot a combined 4-of-18 from the field, with the former fouling out, Bridges’ contributions were needed, even if they weren’t extraordinary. Looking ahead to next season, his availability is what gives Bridges value, especially in category leagues. However, the 2025-26 regular season may lead to him going a little later in drafts after many managers were burned by his struggles.

Bridges was excellent on the offensive end in Game 2. He was 7-of-8 from the field to start the game, but was also finding his teammates as he had six assists. Bridges has had one game with at least 20 points in every round of the playoffs. This one certainly came at the right time as the Knicks were able to take a 2-0 series lead on the road. Twice before has a team won the first two games of the NBA Finals on the road and that team went on to win the series each time.

Bridges continues to shine for the Knicks, who are one win away from a second consecutive series sweep and their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. During Game 3, the Knicks’ wing did his damage from the mid-range and in the paint. All 11 of Bridges’ makes came within 19 feet of the basket, with nine occurring in the paint. He’s been aggressive, and the approach has paid dividends for the Knicks. Bridges will look to do more of the same in Game 4 on Monday.

Over his last seven games, Bridges has averaged 18.7 points on 68 percent shooting from the field. To say that he’s rebounded from his slow start to the postseason would be an understatement. Bridges has remained aggressive, and the improved approach has paid dividends. The Knicks, who have won nine consecutive games, will take a 2-0 series lead to Cleveland for Saturday’s Game 3.

The Knicks shot 25-of-44 from beyond the arc in Game 4, and Hart got in on the fun with a 4-of-6 afternoon. Add in the rebounds, and the Knicks forward finished one rebound shy of a double-double while recording a complete stat line. The hope moving forward is that Hart’s performance in Game 4 will serve as a slump-buster, similar to what Game 5 of the Atlanta series was for Mikal Bridges. Bridges also played well on Sunday, finishing with 12 points, four rebounds, six assists and three steals.