Bridges, acquired from the Phoenix Suns in February, has seen his averages drop significantly since joining the Knicks. In his last five games, the 26-year-old forward is averaging just 12.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while shooting 36.8% from the field. These numbers are a far cry from his averages with the Suns (17.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 46.8% shooting) before the trade.
"I'm not going to sugarcoat it, I'm not playing well right now," Bridges said after a recent loss. "I'm not making shots, I'm not getting stops, and it's hurting the team."
The Knicks' struggles have compounded Bridges' issues. The team has lost eight of their last ten games and has fallen to 11th place in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks' defense has been particularly poor, allowing opponents to score an average of 119.5 points per game during their losing streak.
"We're not playing with enough intensity or focus on defense," said head coach Tom Thibodeau. "We're giving up way too many easy baskets, and it's killing us."
Some analysts have suggested that Bridges may not be a suitable fit for the Knicks' system. The team relies heavily on point guard Jalen Brunson, who often dominates the ball. Bridges, who is a more off-ball player, may be struggling to adjust to his diminished role.
"I'm still trying to figure out my place on this team," Bridges said. "I'm used to playing a different style in Phoenix, so it's taking some time to adapt."
The Knicks face a tough road ahead as they try to salvage their season. They have a difficult schedule in the coming weeks, including matchups against the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Brooklyn Nets.
"I believe in this team," Thibodeau said. "We have the talent to turn this around. But we need to start playing with more consistency and effort."
Bridges remains confident in his ability to improve and help the Knicks turn things around. "I'm not going to give up on myself or this team," he said. "I'm going to keep working hard and try to get back to playing at my best."
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