Knicks seize Eastern Conference control as Bridges revitalises playoff campaign
Mikal Bridges’ historic shooting efficiency and defensive dominance have shifted the narrative around the Knicks’ high-profile trade, propelling the team to a commanding series lead.
The New York Knicks have taken a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, securing a 121-108 victory on Saturday night. The win marks the team’s 10th consecutive postseason victory, a feat last achieved by the Boston Celtics during their 2024 championship run. New York is now one win away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, with Game 4 scheduled for Monday night at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
Central to this resurgence is Mikal Bridges, who has revitalised the Knicks’ campaign following a scoreless performance in a previous loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Over his last eight playoff games, Bridges has averaged 19.1 points with exceptional shooting efficiency, including 69% from the field and 48% from three-point range. His defensive impact has also been significant, leading the 2025-26 NBA Playoffs in fewest points per possession given up on isolation plays.
The statistical profile of Bridges’ recent performance is unprecedented in NBA history. No player has matched these shooting splits over an eight-game playoff stretch while averaging at least 15 points per game. In the victory against Cleveland, Bridges contributed 22 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two blocks, shooting 11 of 15 from the field. This follows a strategic shift in his approach, reducing his three-point attempt rate from 5.1 per game in the regular season to under three per game in the playoffs, focusing instead on shots at the rim and in the mid-range.
Jalen Brunson led the offensive charge against Cleveland with 30 points, complementing Bridges’ all-around performance. The Knicks’ plus-144 plus-minus rating with Bridges on the court over his last eight playoff games contrasts sharply with a minus-11 rating in his first five playoff games. This turnaround has reframed the narrative around the trade that brought Bridges to New York, which was widely criticised as a significant overpay.
The team’s overall rhythm has been described by head coach Mike Brown as a period where players are imposing their will on the game without excessive play-calling. The Knicks have won all but one of their recent victories by double digits, accumulating a point differential of plus-225 over the 10-game span, which is the largest in NBA history for such a stretch. The team’s ability to attack from multiple areas, combined with elite perimeter defence, has left the Cavaliers struggling to contain New York’s offensive flow.
