Mikal Bridges Urges Knicks' Thibodeau to Reduce Starters' Minutes

Mikal Bridges, the New York Knicks forward and leader in total minutes played this NBA season, expressed a desire for reduced playing time to benefit the team's bench and overall performance. He discussed this with head coach Tom Thibodeau, who later denied having such a conversation, stating that Bridges' minutes have recently decreased. Despite the heavy workloads assigned to the stars, Bridges believes the bench is capable of handling more responsibilities, which could help maintain player freshness and improve team dynamics. In a recent game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Bridges scored 33 points in 41 minutes, including a game-winning buzzer-beater, highlighting his critical role despite the minutes concern. The Knicks are currently third in the Eastern Conference standings but face challenges against top teams like the Cavaliers and Celtics, prompting questions about Thibodeau's coaching strategy. Bridges' plea for more bench usage reflects a broader concern about the physical toll of extensive minutes on key players.