Mikal Bridges Credits Team Chemistry for Knicks Playoff Success

The New York Knicks are rolling through the 2026 NBA playoffs.

On Thursday night, the Knicks notched their ninth consecutive postseason victory - taking a 2-0 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Knicks are now two wins away from reaching the NBA Finals, where they would compete for the franchise’s first title since 1973.

New York’s core group has maintained over the past few seasons. Mikal Bridges joined the team in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets before the 2024-25 NBA season and hasn’t missed a game since.

Bridges was asked about the Knicks’ ever-growing team chemistry after Game 2.

“Having another year together builds chemistry, builds just every day, learning how to play off each other,” Bridges said. “That means a lot. That’s big time for us.”

More Basketball: Karl-Anthony Towns Sends Focused Message Despite Knicks Playoff Momentum

Bridges was a key contributor in the Knicks’ opening two Eastern Conference Finals games at Madison Square Garden. He recorded 18 points in New York’s thrilling comeback victory in Game 1, and scored 19 points in Thursday night’s 109-93 Game 2 win.

“We’ve got a lot of resilience in the locker room. A lot of guys that understand the main goal,” Bridges added in a postgame interview. “We’re staying locked in.”

More Basketball:NBA Analyst Jay Williams Delivers Bold Take on Jalen Brunson

Game 3 will tipoff at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 24.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 12:26 PM.