The Nova Knicks are off to the NBA Finals.
The trio of stars in New York have led the franchise back to the finals for the first time in 27 years. To Villanova fans, this is no surprise.
Mikal Bridges was part of a Wildcat run that featured two National Championships in three years. During that time, Bridges played in 116 games. He became a starting forward as a sophomore and over the next two years would play in 76 games, making 73 starts.
Bridges averaged 11.3 points and 4.3 rebounds during his career
at Villanova. As a junior, Bridges built his stock up to the level of a Top-10 pick in the NBA.
[RELATED: Jalen Brunson’s 5 Best Games at Villanova]
In 2017-18, Bridges was an All-American after averaging 17.7 points and 5.3 rebounds. He shot 51.4% from the field and 43.5% from three-point range as well.
Bridges was drafted 10th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2018 NBA Draft. He was immediately traded to the Phoenix Suns, where he spent the first four and a half years of his career before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets eventually sent Bridges across town to join Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart in the Mecca.
Bridges has one of the most incredible streaks going as he has played in 638 consecutive regular season games dating back to his rookie year.
Bridges is currently playing under a four-year, $150 million deal with the Knicks. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2029-30 season, following a player option the year before, at 34 years old.
Bridges had plenty of great moments with the Wildcats during his three-year tenure and these five games top the list.
Honorable Mention: It might not be an entire game but who can forget the final seconds of the Elite Eight win against Kansas in 2016 when Bridges was the primary defender on Frank Mason? He stopped a pull-up shot that could have tied the game and came away with the steal that sent Villanova to the Final Four.
5. December 5, 2017 – vs. Gonzaga
Stats: 28 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, 8-for-14 FG, 5-for-9 3PT
There was plenty of hype surrounding the Wildcats heading into that 2017-18 season. Villanova got its first test against Gonzaga in a non-conference battle early. The Wildcats moved to 9-0 on the year and Bridges was at the center of it all. The team shot 51.7% from the field and Bridges could not be stopped with 28 points and five makes from deep. This was one of many instances where we saw the National Championship potential from this team.
4. April 2, 2018 – National Championship vs. Michigan
Stats: 19 points, 4 rebounds, 7-for-12 FG
Remember when Villanova was down 21-14 midway through the first half? Hopefully you weren’t nervous, no need to be. This is the Donte DiVincenzo game (we will get to him soon enough) but Bridges was pretty good too. He finished with 19 points and shot it well from the field all night. This game is on the list because of the stage but we cannot let Bridges’ performance fly under the radar too much.
3. February 28, 2018 – at Seton Hall
Stats: 23 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 9-for-18 FG
During this era, there was nothing better than beating Seton Hall — sorry Kevin Willard. This was a typical battle late in the season. A defensive struggle where both sides got hot in the second half. The Wildcats let a lead get away and the game went to overtime, where Villanova survived. Bridges played 40 minutes and led the team with 23 points and 10 rebounds. This was part of a dominant run for Bridges where he scored 23 or more points in six of eight games.
2. March 10, 2018 – Big East Championship vs. Providence
Stats: 25 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 9-for-14 FG, 4-for-7 3PT
It was a difficult decision on where to put these final two games but it turns out that this landed second because the overall body of work was better for No. 1. Regardless, Bridges dominated this Big East Tournament and it ended with an overtime victory against Providence. The duo of Bridges and Jalen Brunson was on top of its game. Bridges scored 25 points, shooting 64.3% from the field, knocking down three three’s including one from the top of the key late that proved to be one of the biggest shots of the game.
1. March 8, 2018 – Big East Quarterfinal vs. Marquette
Stats: 25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 7-for-12 FG, 4-for-7 3PT
Bridges did not miss many shots during the 2018 Big East Tournament. It began with a big-time performance against Marquette with 25 points and eight rebounds. Bridges did it all to begin the run. In three games, Bridges averaged nearly 23 points per game, shooting 23-for-37 from the field and 12-for-22 from three-point range. He was also 10-for-11 from the free throw line. Basically when the ball left his hands at Madison Square Garden, it was going to go in.
