Knicks Bench Mikal Bridges in Game Against Bulls

The New York Knicks benched Mikal Bridges during the third quarter of their game against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night. The move came after Bridges played only 13 minutes and contributed minimally to the team's efforts.

Bridges was substituted out with 8:09 remaining in the third quarter and did not return for the remainder of the game. His final statistics included three points on 1-for-4 shooting, including one 3-point basket, along with one turnover and a minus-5 rating.

The Knicks had begun the season 1-3 before the game against the Bulls. Coach Mike Brown opted to bench Bridges as part of a strategic adjustment to improve team performance.

Bridges' season performance has been inconsistent, with his shooting efficiency below expectations. He is shooting 27.3% from the field and 22.2% from beyond the arc, which is not sufficient for a player who is not known for rebounding or passing.

Despite his defensive impact when focused, the Knicks risk losing that aspect of his game by benching him. However, the decision appears to be a temporary measure to force a change in the team's approach.

Bridges is not eligible for injury protection on sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel, as he played in the second half and was not injured, according to current reports.