New York Knicks 105, San Antonio Spurs 104
Q. Mikal, you've been here in the Finals with the Phoenix Suns. How would you say that experience, being frustrated with the Suns, has fueled you in these Finals here?
MIKAL BRIDGES: I think being here before, knowing how it's going to be, yeah, just a lot of experience knowing how much effort you need to give every single moment.
Same situation, up 2-0, and I've got to be able to talk to these guys and just keep level-headed and just keep playing desperate.
Q. You are impacting the game in so many ways, big third quarter and also a defensive play to end the first half. Do you feel that you're somewhat in a flow state or playing some of your most complete basketball right now?
MIKAL BRIDGES: It's just go time. It's winning time. It's that season. I'm trying to go out there and give it all I've got for this team, my teammates, the coaches, for the organization, fans.
Just trying to give it all I got, honestly.
Q. In the third quarter, late in the third quarter, you were out there with some of the bench guys, and just wondering what Mike wanted from you and that crew, the mission at that point to get to the end of the quarter, you guys actually expanded the lead.
MIKAL BRIDGES: Yeah, I think started just defensively getting stops. I think that's the biggest thing, us getting stops and getting out. Just him giving me confidence to try to make the right play.
Just try to do the best I can, just try to make the right play. I trust everybody out there on that court. Just try to do my best.
Q. About that sort of confidence, you're on the ball there in that third-quarter stretch, that's something that you were doing a lot earlier in the season, running more pick-and-roll and running with Mitch. Did you feel like something has flipped for you in the last five or six weeks where you're a little bit more aggressive, intentional on the ball like that?
MIKAL BRIDGES: I think my coaches, you know, giving me more confidence. I think just sometimes play-calling and giving me the opportunity to go make a play. So when they -- I think I'm pretty capable, and you know, once I get confidence from them, it means the world.
So just try to go out there and try to make the right play and do whatever it takes to win.
Q. Obviously you want to win every game in the regular season and play well but this is the second postseason in a row where it seems like you've taken things to another level. What is it about the playoffs that kind of causes you to lift your game up?
MIKAL BRIDGES: Just that desperation. You know, that desperation of trying to be the last team standing and trying to do whatever it takes to help my team win. There's nothing after June. You don't play again until October.
So just try to give it all that I got and do whatever it takes for this team.
Q. We hear the word "resiliency" and you guys obviously showed that tonight but can you talk about the mental discipline aspect of resilience because it's more than just effort.
MIKAL BRIDGES: Yeah, I think the mental -- I think that's what I feel, when we're resilient, how mentally tough we are. Being up in the fourth by a good amount, and then they made a run and take the lead, and staying resilient, that's all about the mental focus. We can all get caught up in the crowd and them making that run because they are a really good team, but we just weather the storm, stay together and found a way to win at the end.
Q. Just with the way that you were shooting the ball, getting those open looks, was there a way that you prepared for this Spurs defense, adjustments you guys made today? What was really the key for you in that stretch?
MIKAL BRIDGES: It's my teammates and coaches finding me. The ball just finding me. You know, try to make the right play. Honestly, I think that's really it.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports