Despite the New York Knicks defeating the underdog Golden State Warriors 110-107 on Sunday, there are some who are concerned about the close result due to the opponent missing key players like Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and others. As serendipitous as some may find the Knicks’ win over the Warriors to be, some are disappointed, such as Stephen A. Smith, who explained how the recent struggles are Jalen Brunson’s fault.
While some may hear this and react angrily, it’s not because it involves his impact on the court, which can’t be denied as he scored 30 points on Sunday, but it has to do with Mikal Bridges. There’s no denying how disappointing Bridges has been, especially in the last six games, with scores in single digits in five of them.
Smith would say Brunson was the reason New York made the trade for Bridges in the first place, which led to a massive return, including the team giving up four first-round selections, which did not pan out.
“Why did they do that? They did that because, instead of waiting a year and signing a five-year, max $270 million extension, Jalen Brunson signed a four-year, $156 million extension a year ago, giving the New York Knicks $113 million in free space around that cap. So what do the New York Knicks do? Obviously, he saves them that kind of money. He did it so they could take his guy,” Smith continued.
“The person I’m blaming most for all of this is Jalen Brunson… I had the Knicks going to the Finals… and the reason for that is if Mikal Bridges continues to look like he’s looking, this is going to turn out to be a terrible trade.”
-Stephen A. smithpic.twitter.com/6Jmuzb1985
– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 16 March 2026
While Smith further states that Bridges is no “scrub”, he believes that the move to acquire Bridges and what New York gave up has put a “handicap” on the Knicks.
Smith said, “You can’t let your organization sacrifice so much to get a guy that will ultimately keep you from building a roster that can compete for championships.”
At any rate, New York is 44-25, leaving them in third place in the Eastern Conference with their next game against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.
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