Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks
As the New York Knicks approached their Thursday, March 11, meeting with the Utah Jazz, a known Knicks fan and ESPN personality unloaded on the veteran wing, Mikal Bridges.
Stephen A. Smith put together one of his famous rants to express his frustration with the former Villanova superstar.
Unfortunately, Bridges didn’t respond with a strong bounce-back effort. Against the Jazz, Bridges checked in for 27 minutes. He shot 2-9 from the field (1-5 from three), scoring just five points.
Bridges also produced five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. While the Knicks came away with a 134-117 win over the Jazz, it wasn’t a pretty win against a tanking team. Very few wins can leave a player, coach, or fan unsatisfied. Wednesday’s victory just might have been one of them for the Knicks.
Stephen A. Smith’s Rant Before Knicks-Jazz
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith
Getty
“They’re giving up four first-round picks for you!” Smith yelled. “It ain’t enough. What are you doing? What purpose are you serving? I mean, somebody’s gotta call them out. Enough is enough! Enough of the honeymoon. We appreciate the hard work. We appreciate the fact that you always show up to work.”
When it comes to availability, Bridges is a rare breed. The least amount of games he played in a single season was 72, due to the fact it was a shortened year for the NBA.
And even when he was traded from Phoenix to Brooklyn during the 2022-2023 NBA season, Bridges didn’t miss a single game. In fact, he ended up playing in 83 games that year.
But showing up is only one of the battles. Smith believes that Bridges is just a presence lately—not a contributor.
“They gave up picks for you. They gave you $150 million … Then on top of it all, with all of that being said, we still get reminded that you played a role in Tom Thibodeau being gone,” Smith continued. “I’m not saying you asked for him to leave or anything like that, I’m not being irresponsible like that, I’m saying we remember the complaints you had last year about him working y’all a little bit too much, needing to use the bench more.
“What are you doing now? Mike Brown isn’t causing that problem. You’re getting some rest or whatever—16 points in three games—that’s an average of a little over five points a game. That’s why they gave you $150 million? That’s why four first-round picks unprotected are gone because of you? That’s why we don’t have Giannis. That’s why we don’t have Donte DiVincenzo. Mikal Bridges, it’s time to show up! Consistently!”
Struggling To Respond
Mikal Bridges, Knicks, NBA Cup Final
GettyMikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks is introduced before the NBA Cup Final against the San Antonio Spurs at T-Mobile Arena on December 16, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ahead of Wednesday’s victory, Bridges spoke about his recent struggles with the Knicks.
“The aggression thing is not an issue at all. I don’t think that’s the issue at all,” he told reporters, according to the New York Post.
“Even if I miss a couple, there’s nothing wrong with that. Nah, I don’t think that’s the issue.” So what is it? “I don’t know. I think it’s just the game of basketball. Sometimes you try to get open, and sometimes it doesn’t find me. Just try to find ways to stay aggressive. That’s it.”
Bridges started March off by producing double-digit scoring games throughout the first three games.
When the Knicks took off for a road trip, beginning in Denver on March 6, Bridges’ struggles ensued. He had a nine-point game against the Nuggets. Zero points against the Lakers, seven points against the Clippers, and then his five points in Utah.
Stephen A. Smith might be over the top most of the time, but he might be preaching to the choir on this one. The 29-year-old Knicks wing was acquired for a massive haul from Brooklyn, and then rewarded with a four-year, $150 million extension. That creates a lot of pressure to live up to.
Bridges will get a shot to bounce back on March 13, when the Knicks pay a visit to the Indiana Pacers.