Mikal Bridges follows through in first game after promise to ‘be better’ for Knicks

INDIANAPOLIS — Mikal Bridges repeated it eight times in a three-minute interview Friday: “Be better.” 

The floundering shooting guard took ownership of his struggles before a rejuvenating performance in Friday’s 106-104 loss to the Pacers, saying he’s the lone problem and solution. 

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“I just look in the mirror, I just got to be better,” said Bridges, who scored a season-high 18 points on 9-of-12 shooting Friday. “Nobody else to blame but me, and I just got to go out there and, whatever it is, just be better and go harder.” 

Bridges was light on specifics, but his shooting numbers were ugly. Before Friday, he was at 32.9 percent from the field overall and 26.5 percent on 3-pointers — despite many of his looks being wide open. 

Mikal Bridges (25) of the New York Knicks dribbles against the Indiana Pacers during an NBA Cup game, Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, in Indianapolis. NBAE via Getty Images

Head coach Mike Brown responded by benching Bridges for long stretches, preferring to close games with reserve Landry Shamet. 

“When times are tough, you just gotta own up to it and just be better,” Bridges said. 

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After Bridges played just 17 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Cavaliers — the fourth time in 11 games that he’s logged 17 or fewer — Brown said it’d be “hard to find minutes” for Bridges and “even for times for Josh Hart.” 

Brown reasoned that reserves Shamet and Deuce McBride are playing well. 

But the Knicks also have $150 million tied up in Bridges, who said he’s not relying on flipping a switch to excellence in the playoffs like the past two seasons. 

“I try to be my best throughout the whole year. Obviously, struggles come, which obviously nobody wants, but like I said, in these moments, gotta look in the mirror, and you’re tested the most and just see what you’re made of,” Bridges said. “So, just gotta be better.” 

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Bridges had a different tune last season during a slump, when he blamed a lack of opportunity for his performance decline. 

“Sometimes you try to get open, and sometimes it doesn’t find me. Just try to find ways to stay aggressive,” Bridges said in…

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Publish date : 2026-11-14 04:31:00

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