The New York Knicks have generally had a solid season, but their Sunday matchup against the Golden State Warriors was a disappointment, leaving head coach Mike Brown visibly frustrated.
Brown has made it a habit this season to name a Defensive Player of the Game, but after Sunday’s performance, he chose not to single anyone out. He was also asked about individual players, including the up-and-down Mikal Bridges.
Even though the Knicks sit third in the Eastern Conference, recent games haven’t met their own standards.
Their showing against the Warriors was particularly disappointing, made worse by the fact that Golden State was missing Stephen Curry.
Struggling against a team that was shorthanded, while also failing to play solid defense, clearly irked Brown. The team’s energy and intensity were far below what he expects.
Bridges, who has had trouble finding consistency this season, played just 21 minutes and scored seven points against the Warriors.
Expectations for him have been high, but his performances have yet to make a major impact. Some observers point to fatigue and the pressure of maintaining his consecutive-games streak as possible reasons for his uneven play.
“We all have to play better. I mean, it’s no secret that Mikal has not shot the ball well. He’s given us life at times. I thought he was great in Indiana, on both sides of the floor. It’s not just Mikal, it’s us collectively as a group,” Brown said about Bridges and the rest of the Knicks.
Maintaining a winning streak won’t be easy, but the Knicks must figure things out quickly. With only a handful of games left in the regular season, they need to be ready before the playoffs begin.
