Bridges credits Josh Hart's transition play for opening up New York's offense.
The New York Knicks headed into Sunday night's matchup with the Miami Heat looking to keep the good times rolling after winning the NBA Cup last week, and they did just that with a 132-125 victory at Madison Square Garden.
After the game, Mikal Bridges spoke highly of his former Villanova teammate Josh Hart and what he brings to the table.
"His ability to get in transition and push and create opens up a lot," Bridges said.
How the Knicks Got the Win
The Knicks (20-8) needed a big performance from Jalen Brunson, who poured in a season-high 47 points to lead the way.
Bridges caught fire from beyond the arc and finished with 24 points while shooting 6-of-7 from three-point range, and Hart did a little bit of everything with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
New York's depth proved crucial since Karl-Anthony Towns had an unusually quiet night with just two points and six rebounds in 29 minutes.
OG Anunoby scored all 18 of his points in the second half to help the Knicks pull away.
Kel'el Ware led the Heat with 28 points and 19 rebounds, but Miami (15-14) has now lost seven of their last eight games and continues to slide in the Eastern Conference standings.
Hart's Impact This Season
Hart's transition game has been a key part of what makes this Knicks team tick, and the numbers back it up.
He's averaging 12.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game this season, which represents a big step up in his playmaking compared to previous years.
For context, Hart averaged just 1.3 assists per game during his first season with the Lakers back in 2017-18, and he was at 4.1 assists last season with the Knicks.
His 5.0 assists this year marks a career high and shows how much he's grown as a facilitator.
The 30-year-old guard has also posted six double-doubles and one triple-double in 26 games this season while being one of the most reliable players on the roster.
His energy in transition creates easy scoring chances for his teammates and takes pressure off of Brunson as the primary ball-handler.
What's Next
The Knicks will look to keep building momentum when they travel to Minnesota on Tuesday night to face the Timberwolves.
New York currently sits in second place in the Eastern Conference, and with Hart and Bridges playing this well alongside Brunson and Towns, they have the look of a legitimate contender.