Mikal Bridges is a professional basketball player for the New York Knicks in the NBA who plays at the small forward position. Popularly known as "The Warden" because of his lockdown defense, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Bridges 10th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. However, that same day, the franchise traded Bridges to the Phoenix Suns in return for a 2021 first-round choice and Zhaire Smith's draft rights. Since then, he has played for the Suns, the Brooklyn Nets, and the New York Knicks. According to Basketball Reference, he has averaged 14.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals in 556 league games.
In 2018, Mikal Bridges was selected as the MVP of the Big East Tournament. He played collegiate basketball for the Villanova Wildcats before joining the NBA. Bridges became a two-way force during his three years at Villanova, where he and Jalen Brunson helped the Wildcats win two NCAA titles in 2016 and 2018. Mikal Bridges was named to the All-NBA First Defensive Team (2022) and finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year competition in the 2021–2022 season.
Mikal Bridges' NBA Finals Appearances
As of May 2025, Mikal Bridges has been to the NBA Finals once and played in all 6 games, as per the NBA's official website. Bridges appeared in all 6 games in the NBA Finals against the Bucks. He played for 193 minutes and contributed 72 total points with 25 total rebounds and 7 assists. The 2021 NBA Finals were won by the Milwaukee Bucks, achieving victory over the Phoenix Suns with a result of 4-2.
What years did Mikal Bridges go to the NBA Finals?
Mikal Bridges made it to the NBA finals in the 2021 playoffs with the Phoenix Suns. In 6 games, against the Milwaukee Bucks, Bridges averaged 12.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, according to Basketball Reference.
What teams did Mikal Bridges lose to in the NBA Finals?
Mikal Bridges lost the 2021 NBA Finals to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Phoenix Suns won the first two matches, with 118 points on board in each game. However, the Bucks outperformed them in the next four games to clinch their second NBA Championship, per the NBA's official website.
Mikal Bridges' Conference finals appearances
Mikal Bridges has been to conference finals twice. In 2021, Bridges was part of the Suns who won the conference finals (4-2) against the Los Angeles Clippers for the first time since 1993. The Philadelphia-native played in all 6 games, averaging 8.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. In 2025, Bridges is playing for the Knicks against the Indiana Pacers in the conference finals.
FAQs on Mikal Bridges
A. Mikal Bridges plays for the New York Knicks.
A. Mikal Bridges is 28 years old as of May 2025. He was born on August 30, 1996.
A. Mikal Bridges represented Villanova University. He played 3 seasons with the Villanova Wildcats and won 2 NCAA titles in 2016 and 2018.
A. Mikal Bridges is 6 feet 6 inches or 1.98 m tall.
