Mikal

Bridges

In his previous two games, Bridges scored 27 points on 11-of-29 shooting from the field. He got back on track in a significant way on Wednesday, recording his second 30-point game of the season. In recording a complete stat line, Bridges shot 80 percent from the field in Toronto. He remains a fantasy standout, especially in nine-cat formats, due mainly to the unquestioned availability, but the production has also been good.

While Bridges’ overall stat line was a bit lean, the offensive output was solid in the final game of the Knicks’ road trip. Before Thursday, he had not scored at least 20 points in a game since December 21. While Bridges isn’t expected to be a prolific scorer, he’s capable of offering more production than he’s managed over the past three weeks. And if Jalen Brunson (ankle) misses more time, the Knicks will need more scoring from Bridges.

Bridges and the Knicks had a rough night shooting the basketball, as they were 8-of-41 from three and made just 39 percent of their attempts overall. His shot volume, which was boosted due to Jalen Brunson’s first-quarter exit, boosted the points tally, and Bridges did record a complete stat line. But the inefficient shooting was a disappointment. He’ll look to bounce back on Thursday against the Warriors.

After struggling in the first game of the Knicks’ road trip on Friday, Bridges looked sharper in Portland. Efficient in shooting the basketball, he was also impactful as a facilitator and defender. In addition to his availability, stat lines like the one Bridges recorded in Portland are why he’s been so valuable to fantasy managers this season.

Bridges hit a few three-pointers during the fourth quarter that helped beef up the final stat line, but he had a rough night from deep. The Knicks’ wing shot 3-of-11 from beyond the arc, with New York shooting 9-of-40 as a team. Bridges and the Knicks will look to end Week 11 on a high note when they host the 76ers on Saturday.

For the first time this season, Bridges has failed to record a steal or blocked shot in consecutive games. However, his offensive production has increased, with the Knicks wing having scored at least 20 points in three straight games for the first time since late October. Bridges remains a top-10 player in nine-cat formats and a top-20 player in eight-cat. For a player who entered the year with a Yahoo! ADP in the eighties, this has been an excellent first third of the season for Bridges.

For the second time in his last three appearances, Bridges failed to record a steal or blocked shot on Friday. The good news for those who have him rostered is that the Knicks wing was productive in the offensive categories. Also, this is the first time that Bridges has scored 20 points or more in at least two consecutive games since New York’s final three games of October. The Knicks end Week 9 with a home game against the Heat on Sunday.

Hart and Towns are back after sitting out Thursday’s win over the Pacers, with Mohamed Diawara and Ariel Hukporti heading to the bench. Neither player is guaranteed to remain in the rotation, as Miles McBride and Landry Shamet are the lone Knicks regulars who are not available.

While Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson were held out of Thursday’s game, there was no doubt that Bridges was going to extend his games played streak. He only had one blocked shot on Thursday, but the points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers were more than adequate. While he’s slipped just outside the top-20 in eight-cat per-game value, Bridges is still providing first-round value in nine-cat.

Bridges has now recorded at least two steals in 12 straight games, with that category being one of the reasons why he has been an elite fantasy option this season. The Knicks guard/forward recorded another complete stat line against the Hornets, and that has been the routine for him. Not only is Bridges continuing to provide top-10 value in nine-cat formats, but he’s closing in on that threshold in eight-cat formats as well.