Bridges Urges Thibodeau to Reduce Starters’ Minutes for Knicks’ Health

PORTLAND, Ore. — Mikal Bridges has approached New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau with a request to reduce the minutes of the starters as the team heads into the final stretch of the NBA season. The plea comes amidst concerns over player fatigue and injuries, particularly with Jalen Brunson nursing an ankle sprain.

Bridges, who leads the league in total minutes this season, spoke candidly about the toll that heavy minute loads take on players, stating, “Sometimes it’s not fun on the body.” He emphasized that the Knicks have enough depth in their bench to manage games effectively without overworking the starting lineup. “We’ve got a lot of good guys on this team that can take away minutes,” Bridges said. “Which helps the defense, helps the offense, helps tired bodies being out there and giving up all these points.”

The conversation between Bridges and Thibodeau highlights a longstanding issue regarding the coach’s minutes distribution strategy. Critics, including former Knicks player Channing Frye, have accused Thibodeau of pushing players too hard, contributing to injuries. “You can’t go dumb hard for 40 minutes every single night,” Frye commented on NBA TV. “The Knicks have all the talent in the world… Give them a chance to be great.”

Bridges noted that Thibodeau has been receptive to his suggestions but mentioned that the coach has a tendency to stick to his ways. “I think he’s not arguing about it. Sometimes I think he just gets in his ways and he gets locked in,” Bridges said. “Sometimes you’ve got to tell him [to keep players in when they’re performing well].”

This season, Bridges has been a model of durability, maintaining the longest active streak of consecutive games played in the league. Despite this, he admitted that such a heavy workload remains challenging. “I think it’s something you never really get used to,” Bridges explained. “Your body is going to feel how it is every year.”

As of now, Knicks starters rank among the highest in the league for minutes played per game, with Bridges and teammate Josh Hart leading the league in total minutes logged. This reliance on starters as the team’s backbone is evident, but it raises questions about sustainability as playoff season approaches.

The Knicks currently hold a 41-23 record, placing them third in the Eastern Conference. However, the team struggles significantly with bench production, often leaving starters on the court for extended periods. Bridges attributed some of the offensive challenges to the lack of bench utilization and highlighted their improvement with the return of players like Mitchell Robinson and Landry Shamet.

The Knicks’ bench currently ranks last in scoring and minutes played per game, which has prompted discussions among players about increasing bench contributions. Bridges’ call for a more balanced approach could not only help the starters recover but also allow bench players to showcase their skills in crucial games.

As the playoffs draw closer, Thibodeau may need to consider Bridges’ request seriously to ensure the team is healthy and prepared for a deep postseason run. The Knicks have suffered through injuries in previous playoff experiences, making fresher legs a priority as they aim for postseason success. “We need to give our guys a chance to be great,” Frye asserted.