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No matter how you slice it, this huge deal for Mikal Bridges was a necessary evil, for lack of a better term.

The New York Knicks‘ 109-108 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 3 on Thursday night is not a game that Knicks forward Mikal Bridges will look back on fondly.

Bridges was a complete nonfactor over the course of the contest, and his lack of impact ultimately resulted in him riding the bench down the stretch. In all, Bridges played 21 minutes and finished with 2 assists, 1 rebound and 0 points on 0-for-3 shooting from the floor.

Mikal Bridges Played Himself Off the Floor in Game 3 Loss to Hawks

Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 05: Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks celebrates after making a three-point basket against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 05, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

After the game, Bridges addressed being benched by head coach Mike Brown. He said all of the right things and vowed to be better for his teammates moving forward, which they’ll absolutely need if they’re going to overcome the 2-1 deficit they’re now facing in the series.

“Another game, another opportunity. It’s tough. I’ve got to take it on the chin, and when it comes, waking up the next morning is going to suck,” Bridges said. “It is what it is. I’ve got to be better and help my team out there.

“We’ve got to put it all together, and it tarts with me, I’ve got to be better,” Bridges added. “We’ve got to play as a team and fight for all 48.”

Every player is entitled to a bad game, but when it comes to Bridges’ Game 3 performance, it was an egregiously bad performance at an extremely inopportune time. It will be interesting to see how he responds in Game 4 on Saturday night.

Mike Brown Explains Decision to Bench Mikal Bridges Down the Stretch

GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 22: Head coach Mike Brown talks to Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on March 22, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Pamela Smith/Getty Images)

When Brown was at the podium, he explained what he saw that led to him deciding to leave Bridges on the bench for an extended stretch in the second half.

“The way the game was being played, the different runs that we made and the different combinations I threw out there,” Brown said. “I just went with what I felt the game called for.”

Brown isn’t worried that the benching will have any lingering impact on Bridges or his psyche.

“Mikal is a pro,” Brown said. “He’s played hundreds of basketball games, so he should be fine.”

Bridges obviously needs to be better for the Knicks moving forward, but it’s far from just him. There’s plenty of blame to go around when it comes to New York’s struggles against Atlanta so far.

The Knicks need to look themselves in the mirror before Game 4. If they can’t collectively step up, it’s going to be an early exit and an uncomfortable offseason in New York.