Mikal Bridges Opens Up About Special Chemistry With Jalen Brunson

The New York Knicks are heading to the NBA Finals following their Eastern Conference Finals sweep over the Cleveland Cavaliers, capped off by a dominant 130-93 road victory in Game 4.

After the game, Mikal Bridges took the podium alongside his former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart.

During the postgame press conference, Bridges talked about how grateful he is to play alongside a leader like Brunson for a significant portion of his basketball career.

“It’s definitely a blessing to be a piece of the puzzle, especially in this organization,” Bridges said. “No other player, no other guard that I want to be along besides JB so I’m just very grateful to be in this position.”

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Bridges and Brunson won two NCAA Tournament national championship together in 2016 and 2018. Hart was with Villanova for the first title in 2016.

“It’s something that is surreal,” Hart said of the bond with his Knicks teammates. “When you’re in college and you’re in that locker room, you know the goal is the NBA. And you know the percent chance that you’re going to be on the same team is very slim if not none. It’s always something you talk about and dream about, but in reality it’s almost impossible.

“So the fact that that actually came to fruition, it’s super cool. I know the time that these guys put in, I know where their hearts are. We already share a bond and a brotherhood for life. This is just another step there.”

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The Knicks advance to face off against the winner of the Western Conference Finals series between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.

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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 1:59 PM.