This analysis is going to sound similar to what you read on KAT, but Mikal Bridges may have been about as absent in the fourth if not for his role in New York’s final possession.
For the entire fourth quarter, he had zero points on 0-of-3 shooting, dished one assist and had one steal.
But his final frame is going to be a little more memorable because of the way it ended.
After CJ McCollum missed a pair of free throws that could’ve extended Atlanta’s lead to three with just under six seconds to play, Josh Hart outletted to Bridges, who put his head down, dribbled along the sideline and put up a contested, side-floating, mid-range jumper that came up short.
In fairness to Bridges, there wasn’t really a great option for a pass. Brunson was streaking down the opposite sideline, with three Hawks between he and Bridges. Hart was trailing, but there wouldn’t have been much time for him to make a play, and Atlanta looked to be in pretty good position to collapse on his catch.
But the result of the play was a tough shot for a player who clearly wasn’t in rhythm.
And had Bridges managed to make more of an impact on either end before those final couple minutes, New York wouldn’t have needed him to hit a tough game-winner anyway.