Study Shows Phoenix Suns F Mikal Bridges is Hardest-Working Player in NBA

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Suns
By Donnie Druin | Last updated 5/26/22

When it comes to the hardest-working players across the NBA, look no further than Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges.

Bridges played in all 82 games for the Suns during the regular season, scoring 14.2 points per game. Known for his defensive prowess and ability to lock down even the best players in the league, Bridges earned first team all-defensive honors from the NBA this season.

To even the casual fan, his effort on the court is noticeable in Phoenix.

The Action Network recently completed a study that was based on the following parameters to determine their verdict:

"Looking at court coverage data acquired from the NBA for the 2021-2022 regular season, we’ve been able to determine distance covered during games and total calories burned throughout the season to reveal the hardest-working NBA players. We’ve also looked at court coverage data across entire teams to determine whether there’s a correlation between hard-working players and those franchises expected to compete for the NBA Finals in June."

Here's who ranked as the top five hardest-working players in the league, according to The Action Network:

1. Mikal Bridges

"Claiming the crown as the hardest-working NBA star during the 2021-2022 season, we have the Phoenix Suns’ Mikal Bridges. The wing covered 212.5 miles during his 2,854 total minutes on the court, burning an incredible 38,055 calories."

2. Miles Bridges

"Next up, Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets burned more calories than any other player last season (40,578) during his 2,840 minutes on court. In terms of distance covered, the forward recorded a monstrous 210.7 miles."

3. Tyrese Haliburton

"Tyrese Haliburton ranks third, with over 206.7 miles covered in 2,695 minutes last season. Haliburton put in significant minutes for both the Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers after an in-season trade. Despite placing among the hardest-working stars, Haliburton’s calorie output was exceedingly efficient. He averaged just 10.92 calories burned per minute – compared to Mikal and Miles Bridges’ 13.34 and 14.29, respectively."

T-4. Tyrese Maxey and Scottie Barnes

"Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey and Toronto Raptors’ Scottie Barnes round out the top-five, with each player clocking over 2,600 minutes on court and covering more than 200 miles apiece last season. Maxey slightly outperformed Barnes for total calories burned: 37,762 vs. 32,784."

The Suns also ranked as the fourth hardest-working team in the league, totaling 1,522.4 miles completed on the court during the season. Phoenix fell behind the Toronto Raptors, Charlotte Hornets and Sacramento Kings.

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