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New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges addressed his new role amid the rise Landry Shamet.
A subtle but telling shift has emerged in the New York Knicks rotation — and the most revealing part isn’t who’s gaining minutes, but how Mikal Bridges is responding to losing them.
Veteran guard Landry Shamet has steadily eaten into Bridges’ workload, forcing a redistribution that would normally spark friction. Instead, Bridges has met the change with acceptance — and a dose of irony.
“I think it’s for everybody — me as well,” Bridges said via the New York Post. “You’ve just got to sacrifice, find your moments and play the right way.”
Knicks Role Reversal That Carries Irony
Getty ImagesMikal Bridges is happy for his New York Knicks teammate Landry Shamet’s rise.
The minutes squeeze is notable given Bridges’ standing within the organization. Acquired for five first-round picks and signed to a $150 million extension last summer, Bridges entered the season as a cornerstone.
He also entered it with history.
Just months earlier, Bridges publicly called out then-coach Tom Thibodeau for overworking starters and not trusting the bench — a stance that resonated leaguewide after he led the NBA in total minutes and ranked second at 37.0 per game.
Now, under Mike Brown, Bridges is on the other side of that philosophy — and living with the consequences of depth finally being rewarded.
Shamet Capitalizes on Opportunity Under New Knicks Coach
GettyLandry Shamet of the New York Knicks is eating up Mikal Bridges’ minutes with his solid play.
Shamet was part of that underused bench last season. This year, he’s become one of Brown’s most reliable rotation pieces.
For the season, Shamet is averaging 9.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 22.2 minutes, while shooting 41.8% from three-point range — one of the best marks in the NBA. Only the injured Miles McBride has been more accurate from deep.
February marked a turning point. Shamet’s minutes jumped to 26.5 per game, and his production followed: 12.2 points, 2.0 assists, and 1.8 rebounds, while maintaining elite shooting efficiency.
The result: fewer minutes for Bridges.
Bridges’ Minutes Dip — and His Buy-In Stands Out
After averaging as many as 36.8 minutes per game early in the season, Bridges’ workload dropped to 32.1 minutes in February — still heavy, but a meaningful reduction for one of the league’s ironmen.
Bridges, who has played 615 consecutive NBA games, framed the change as a positive — both for Shamet and the team.
“Landry’s so good, plays the game the right way,” Bridges said. “I know he’s been dealing with the shoulder stuff for some time. I’m just happy he’s healthy and playing, because this is how he plays when he’s healthy.”
The response mattered internally. A player of Bridges’ stature could have pushed back. Instead, he reinforced the message Brown has tried to establish since taking over: production earns opportunity.
Mike Brown: Performance Dictates Minutes
Brown has been direct about how rotation decisions are made — and why they affect even the team’s highest-paid players.
“When you start going down the line and you see guys playing well, you’re going to try to find ways to get them in the game,” Brown said via the New York Post. “When you do that, it’s going to be less minutes for other guys.”
Brown emphasized the balancing act.
“It’s give and take,” he said. “Landry played 23 minutes in our last win. Mikal played 30. If someone’s playing well, we’ll try to keep them on the floor — and that might mean others see their minutes come down.”
A Cultural Shift the Knicks Once Lacked
For years, the Knicks were criticized for either lacking depth or refusing to trust it. Now, the issue is abundance — and the willingness of a franchise cornerstone to embrace it.
Bridges’ reaction has quietly set a tone. The minutes may be down, but the buy-in is up.
And for Shamet — a player who had to fight for a roster spot in training camp — the opportunity finally matches the output, reshaping the rotation with the approval of the very star whose minutes he’s taking.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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