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After Loss Knicks Look To The Playoffs

Bridges Streak Hits 638

Photo: Michael Henriquez – NY Beacon

Madison Square Garden 

By Andrew Rosario

It had all the feelings of an NBA G-League game when the New York Knicks hosted the Charlotte Hornets Sunday night at Madison Square Garden. The outcome of the game had no bearing on the Knicks playoff seeding as they locked up the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference with their win over the Toronto Raptors last Friday night. The Hornets, however needed the win in order to qualify for the play-in playoff tournament. The Knicks sat 4 of their starters with the exception of Mikal Bridges who played only 23 seconds. By doing so, Bridges extended his streak of playing in 638 consecutive games, currently the longest in the NBA. Bridges has never missed a game in his NBA career. He passed Andre Miller for the 8th longest streak in NBA history. Said Knicks coach Mike Brown of Bridges’ accomplishment, “it’s crazy because load management is a real thing,” he began. For a guy like that to be at that number he’s at in consecutive games played speaks volumes.”

The Hornets were in control from the very beginning, taking a 10-point first quarter lead and ended the first half with a 13-point lead. At the end of the 110-96 win, Charlotte clinched the #9 seed and hosted the #10 seed Miami Heat Tuesday night. Miami won 3 of the 4 regular season games against the Hornets.

lf there was a bright side to the Knicks loss, it was the performance of back-up guard Miles “Deuce” McBride who scored 21 points connecting on 5 of 7 3-pointers. McBride had been struggling since returning to the line-up. “I’m solid,” Deuce said after. “Being out for so long, just getting my wind back. Dealing with the residual pain of the surgery isn’t fun but it’s part of the journey.”

The New York Knicks will need solid contributions from their bench if they want to go deep in the playoffs. New York took 2 out of 3 regular season games against the Hawks winning the last game in Atlanta. 

Game 1 against Atlanta will take place 6pm Saturday at Madison Square Garden.