Mikal Bridges' game-winner overshadows overwork debate

With the Knicks trailing by two points, Bridges beat the buzzer with a three-pointer to give New York a 114-113 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. He played 41 minutes, scored 33 points and gave New York their second straight win without Jalen Brunson.

Bridges might have felt extra pressure to be the hero after a small controversy erupted Wednesday. At the team's morning shootaround, a reporter asked Bridges about the complaints that Thibodeau played his starters too much. Bridges, who is leading the NBA in minutes, claimed he and Thibodeau had talked about giving bench players more minutes.

"Sometimes I think he just gets in his ways and he gets locked in and he just wants to keep the guy out there," Bridges said. "Sometimes you have to tell him like, Landry (Shamet) for example or somebody, keep them out there, they’re playing well."

Before the game, Thibodeau denied that he and Bridges had a conversation about minutes.

Thibodeau wasn't sympathetic to Bridges' desire for more rest, telling reporters, "Your wings play more. They're matched up against primary players."

Perhaps it was inevitable that the Knicks' subsequent game would go into an extra period. Before that, Bridges would have played fewer minutes than his 37.8-minute average, but the Knicks couldn't hold off Scoot Henderson in regulation, who scored five points in the final minute to tie the game.

Josh Hart, who's averaging slightly more minutes than Bridges, played 42 minutes and just missed a triple-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.

Bridges and Thibodeau might have to have a conversation about whether or not they had an earlier conversation. The team will have plenty of time to converse and rest, since they get two days off before facing the Golden State Warriors Saturday night.

Landry Shamet might need it. He logged 20 minutes Wednesday night, so maybe Bridges' message somehow got through.