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Knicks Star Agrees To Surprise Benching In Blowout Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Faria | Last updated Nov 24, 2024 2:47 PM ET

Nothing went right for the New York Knicks Saturday night in their 121-106 loss to the Utah Jazz.

Their four-game losing streak was snapped almost from the minute of tip-off as the Knicks struggled from the field offensively. Defensively, things went poorly as well thanks to the Jazz shooting over 50% from the field and beyond the arc.

While no one really played well for New York, one player in particularly struggled on all phases of the game.

Mikal Bridges.

The former Brooklyn Nets star who was traded to the Knicks for a collection of first round picks was benched for most of the fourth quarter in Saturday's loss.

Bridges only scored seven points on 3-15 shooting with two turnovers during the loss. While some veteran players may have been offended by the mere idea of a benching, Bridges not only understood, but agreed with the move.

"I understand it," Bridges said, per Steve Popper of Newsday. "We’re trying to win a game, and that’s all I care about, so I think that was the right decision.”

In replacement of Bridges, New York turned to veteran guard Cameron Payne who recorded 11 points in 31 minutes of action. It was New York's bench that kept the game close for the most part Saturday, and it's why Bridges understood the move from Tom Thibodeau.

"Cam came in and he was playing well. He was part of that team that was making that run," Bridges explained. "So I was more just frustrated that I couldn’t be out there to help the team and frustrated that the first three quarters I was out there, I couldn’t really do much."

Bridges' start to his Knicks career hasn't gone as well as many would have hoped. If Saturday was rock-bottom for him, it's clear Bridges has much left to prove to this point.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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