Knicks Lean on Depth as Bridges’ Role Fluctuates in Back-to-Back Wins
New York’s recent victories showcased a growing willingness to mix and match late-game lineups, with Mikal Bridges alternating between crunch-time bench minutes and clutch heroics as the Knicks prioritize winning over roles.
- Glenn Catubig
- 4 min read
In a weekend that captured both the unpredictability and resilience of the New York Knicks, New York rallied from an 18-point deficit to defeat the Houston Rockets before turning around to grind out another win against the Chicago Bulls the next night. The victories were dramatic, tense and, at times, unconventional.
They also highlighted a theme that has quietly defined the Knicks’ season under new head coach Mike Brown: flexibility over formality. Lineups that once felt locked in are now fluid, and reputations carry less weight than matchups and momentum in the closing minutes.
No player embodied that shift more than Mikal Bridges. One night he watched the decisive stretch from the bench. The next, he buried a late three-pointer that sealed the outcome. The swing from spectator to closer summed up the coaching staff’s pragmatic approach.
For a Knicks team chasing consistency and postseason credibility, the message is clear. Roles are earned possession by possession, and whoever gives the team the best chance to win will be on the floor when it matters most.
1. A Surprise Sub Sparks the Comeback
Saturday’s comeback against Houston built slowly before exploding in the fourth quarter. Karl-Anthony Towns set the defensive tone with physicality and rebounding, helping New York chip away at the deficit. On the other end, Jalen Brunson orchestrated the offense with his usual poise, picking apart mismatches as the clock tightened. Yet with just over five minutes remaining, Brown made a decision that caught many off guard. Bridges, a starter and one of the team’s most trusted two-way wings, was pulled from the lineup. In his place came Landry Shamet, a move Brown later credited to assistant coach Rick Brunson. It wasn’t an isolated call. Bridges had also sat out late stretches in recent games, including contests against the Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings, and Philadelphia 76ers. The pattern suggested more than a one-off tweak; it signaled a philosophical shift. For long-time starters, crunch-time benchings can feel personal. But Brown’s reasoning has been consistent: ride the hot hands, maximize spacing, and prioritize defense. On this night, Shamet’s shooting threat and energy fit what New York needed as the comeback gathered steam.
2. Brunson and the Bench Deliver
With Bridges watching, Brunson took command. He attacked switches, drew help defenders, and found open teammates, steadily dismantling Houston’s coverages. The Knicks’ offense became more decisive, less hesitant, and the momentum followed. The supporting cast followed suit. Josh Hart provided hustle plays and rebounds, while newly acquired guard José Alvarado injected defensive pressure. His quick hands produced multiple steals that shifted possessions and energized the crowd. The flurry of stops and fast breaks flipped the script. What had been a double-digit hole turned into a late advantage, and Brunson’s shot-making sealed the rally. By the final horn, the Knicks had turned an 18-point deficit into a convincing statement about their depth. Bridges briefly returned for the final defensive possession with the lead secure, but the message was unmistakable: the closing group would be situational. Starters would no longer be guaranteed the last word.
3. From Bench to Dagger
If Saturday tested Bridges’ patience, Sunday restored his spotlight. Facing Chicago on the second night of a back-to-back, he struggled for much of the game, scoring modestly and missing open looks. For long stretches, he blended into the background. But late in the fourth, with the margin slim, the ball found him on the perimeter. Bridges rose confidently and drilled a three-pointer with 27 seconds remaining, pushing the Knicks ahead for good. In a single shot, a quiet night became a decisive one. The sequence felt familiar. During last season’s playoff battles with the Boston Celtics, Bridges had delivered similar swings — quiet early, impactful late. Defensive stops, timely baskets, and momentum-shifting plays have long defined his value even when the box score doesn’t. That duality explains why Brown remains comfortable toggling his role. Bridges’ contributions don’t always arrive steadily, but they often arrive when needed most. For New York, embracing that unpredictability — and the depth behind it — may be the key to surviving tight games.