Knicks’ Elite Wing Defense Key to Playoff Success

The New York Knicks find themselves one win away from their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years, largely due to the exceptional defensive performances of wings Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby. Their ability to neutralize elite scorers in crucial moments has transformed the Knicks into legitimate championship contenders, according to ESPN.

As the Knicks prepare for Game 6 against the Boston Celtics on Friday night at Madison Square Garden, their defensive standouts face a critical challenge: rebounding from a subpar Game 5 performance to close out the defending champions on their home court.

Trending Headlines You Might Have Missed:

Significant Investment Paying Dividends

The Knicks made substantial financial and asset commitments to acquire their defensive wing duo. Last July, New York surrendered five first-round picks to land Bridges in a rare trade with the crosstown Brooklyn Nets. This followed their five-year, $212 million contract for Anunoby—the richest in franchise history—after trading RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to the Toronto Raptors for him during the previous season.

While these moves were criticized by some analysts given that neither player has made an All-Star team, the defensive impact of Bridges and Anunoby has proven transformative in the playoffs. Their ability to guard multiple positions has given coach Tom Thibodeau unprecedented defensive flexibility against elite offensive teams like Boston.

Clutch-Time Defensive Dominance

The Celtics have been stifled in late-game situations throughout the series, shooting just 13% (3-for-23) overall in 14 minutes of clutch time, with more turnovers than made baskets. Boston’s prolific three-point attack has connected on only one of 11 attempts in these crucial moments, a testament to the defensive pressure applied by New York’s wings.

Bridges, in particular, has demonstrated a knack for game-saving defensive plays, sealing victories in Games 1 and 2 with crucial defensive stops. As NBA.com notes, “The Celtics All-Star guard was injured late in Game 4,” altering the defensive assignments and creating new challenges for the Knicks’ defense in Game 5.

Evolving Offensive Roles

While their defensive contributions have been consistent, Bridges and Anunoby’s offensive development has been a season-long process. Both players saw their roles expand when point guard Jalen Brunson missed 15 games with an ankle injury late in the regular season, forcing them to become more assertive scorers rather than primarily corner three-point specialists.

Bridges increased his scoring from 17 points per game before Brunson’s injury to 20.5 points during his absence, while Anunoby made an even larger leap, jumping from 16.5 to nearly 23 points per game with improved efficiency. This expanded offensive repertoire has made them more complete players heading into the postseason.

Game 5 Struggles

Despite their overall playoff success, Bridges and Anunoby endured a difficult Game 5 in Boston, combining to shoot just 5-for-26 from the field in the 127-102 loss. Their offensive struggles coincided with one of the Knicks’ worst defensive performances of the postseason, allowing the Celtics to connect on 22 three-pointers despite missing Jayson Tatum.

“When they each play well—like in the second half of the close-out Game 6 in Detroit, or the Game 4 victory against Boston, in which they combined for 19 points on 9-for-10 shooting in the pivotal fourth quarter—it’s incredibly tough to overcome,” explains ESPN. This inconsistency highlights their importance as bellwethers for the team’s overall performance.

Defensive Versatility

Thibodeau has frequently praised the versatility that Bridges and Anunoby bring to New York’s defensive schemes. “You’re asking guys, particularly in five-out [situations], to get in to protect the paint and also get out to cover the 3-point line. And then when the ball gets shot, to go and rebound,” the coach explained. “Having the versatility to play the 2, 3 and 4, it allows you to do a lot more switching.”

This positional flexibility has been particularly valuable against the Celtics, whose offensive system relies heavily on creating mismatches through screening actions. Early in the season, Bridges was navigating 25 screens per game—more than any player in the league—as he took on the assignment of guarding opposing point guards to reduce the defensive workload on Brunson.

Trending Headlines You Might Have Missed: