Mikal Bridges’ jump shot was a major topic of discussion during the preseason, and the conversation continued into the opening night game between the Knicks and Celtics. Bridges struggled in the first half, going 0 for 5 from the field, including four missed attempts from beyond the arc. This performance left New York trailing by a significant margin of 74-55 at halftime.
As one of the Knicks’ key acquisitions in the offseason, Bridges was expected to make an immediate impact. However, his shooting struggles have raised some concerns among fans and analysts alike. Even Reggie Miller mentioned Bridges’ poor shooting performance during the broadcast.
It appears that Bridges has made some adjustments to his jump shot, leading to a noticeable hitch in his shooting form. This change has affected his efficiency on the court, prompting fans to question why the Knicks altered his mechanics so drastically. Some fans even took to social media to express their frustration and disbelief at Bridges’ inability to make a shot in the first half.
In the second half, Bridges seemed to revert to his previous shooting form, which resulted in a much-improved performance. He scored 16 points in the second half, hitting two 3-pointers and shooting 7 of 9 from the field. Despite Bridges’ resurgence, the Celtics’ hot 3-point shooting ultimately led to a 132-109 victory over the Knicks. Jayson Tatum led the charge for Boston with eight made 3-pointers and 37 points.
While Bridges’ second-half performance was encouraging, it was not enough to secure a win for the Knicks. Moving forward, it will be crucial for Bridges to find consistency in his shooting mechanics to help bolster New York’s offense. As a player known for his ability to create shots and knock down corner 3-pointers, Bridges’ contributions will be vital to the team’s success.
In conclusion, while Bridges showed flashes of his potential in the second half, the Knicks will need him to find his rhythm early in games to compete against top teams like the Celtics. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Bridges adjusts and improves his jump shot to become a more reliable scoring threat for New York.
This article was edited by Arhaan Raje.
