OG Anunoby get hamstring injury for di New York Knicks game against di Miami Heat. E mean say Anunoby go dey miss some games. Dis dey mean say di Knicks no get their best defender and one of their best players.
But New York get Mikal Bridges, wey dey fit fill Anunoby shoes well well.
Defensive Versatility
Mikal Bridges na 6-foot-6 shooting guard wey fit play small forward position. E get long body and e dey stable to guard players from one to five. Normally, e dey guard di opposing team second best player, but now wey Anunoby no dey, Bridges don take over to guard di top scoring player.
Bridges dey fit guard different positions, from big wings to shifty guards. E dey among di top 15 players wey dey play most minutes per game, but e dey still maintain e elite defense. E dey tackle di task impeccably.
Whether e dey guard Norman Powell of di Heat, LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges of di Charlotte Hornets or Michael Porter Jr. of di Brooklyn Nets, Bridges dey always ready.
Since di 2025-26 season start, Bridges don step up e game. With Anunoby injury, e don dey Bridges duty to carry di team. In 12 games, Anunoby dey average 15.8 points and 1.9 steals per game. But Bridges dey do even more.
Since Anunoby no dey, Bridges don improve e play for both sides of di court. For di five games after Anunoby injury, Bridges dey average:
- 24.8 points
- 5.8 rebounds
- 4.2 assists
- 2.0 steals
- 45.7% from three
All dis figures dey higher than e season averages, except for di three-point percentage, wey still dey elite.
E Most Effective Season
When New York need am most, Bridges dey always step up. In fact, e don dey do dis all season long. Bridges dey average career highs for scoring, rebounding and assists. E dey show say e dey ready to lead di Knicks to victory.