Mikal Bridges Block On Trae Young In closing seconds ensures Knicks’ victory

On By Littum

Mikal Bridges struggled to contain trae young most of the night. But he shut him down as it was most important.

Young scored 38 points and Dised 19 assists in Knicks’ 149-148 win over Hawks Wednesday night in Madison Square Garden and helped lead a wild Atlanta comeback in the fourth quarter to force overtime.

After Jalen Brunson drilled a jumper to put the knicks ahead at the final result with 11 seconds left over time, Young threatened to break Knicks’ hearts again.

Mikal Bridges blocks Trae Young’s floater in the last possession to help Knicks secure a 149-148 overtime gain over Hawks on February 12, 2025. Jason Szenes to New York Post

But Bridges blocked Young’s floats, and despite Hawk’s grip rebound, Georges Niang’s 3-pointer was off and Knicks survived.

“His determination, determination, the will, the desire for him to do it -game after the game,” coach Tom Thibodeau said of Bridges. “And Trae is a strain to handle because you can get the first (screen) right, and then the second comes, then there is a third and then to have the decision to continue fighting and keep doing it again And again. It’s a lot of screens you fight through. You can’t say enough about what he sacrifices every game for the team and what it means to win. “

Bridges added 11 points.

“Just everyone who helps each other try to win the game,” Bridges said of the last stop. “He has made it difficult for everyone.”

Mikal Bridges blocks Trae Young’s floater in the last possession to help knicks
Ensure an overtime gain over Hawks. Jason Szenes to New York Post

The wait for and Anunoby’s return continues until at least after the All-Star break.

He missed Wednesday’s victory, the fifth straight game he has been out since he has suffered a non-contact foot-stewing during the team’s loss to Lakers on February 1st.

Knicks noted him as questionable for the game-the same term he had for Tuesday’s victory over Pacers and Thibodeau said he was a decision on game time, but Anunoby didn’t fit up.

He does not warm up on the field before the game, so he apparently was not so close.

It wouldn’t have been very sensible to rush Anunoby back to Wednesday’s clash, Knicks’ goods before the break.

Instead, he has another week to recover before Knicks’ next match, against Bulls, on February 20th.

“It’s day to day,” Thibodeau said before Wednesday’s game. “It’s tolerance. Exercise, see how he feels the next day, how he reacts, so this is where we are. “

Miles McBride was also listed as questionable and was described as a decision on game time with a rib injury.

He played, but left the game early with a rib contusion.

Josh Hart mixes it with Mouhamed Gueye as the two fought for a rebound under Knicks’ overtime gain over the Hawks. Jason Szenes to New York Post

Hart pointed the finger right in Niang’s face after the latter missed the potential game -winning shot as time expired in overtime.

It’s unclear what got Hart’s reaction and Knicks closed the dressing room after the game before he could speak.