Bridges’ Knicks Role Shrinks Despite Brown’s Starter Assurance

Mike Brown says Mikal Bridges is still a starter for the New York Knicks, but his minutes and late-game role have dwindled during the opening 11 games of the 2026-27 season. Bridges is averaging 24.4 minutes per game, the lowest mark of his career, and has scored 5.9 points per game while shooting 32.9% from the field and 26.5% from three-point range.

In a 115-107 loss to Cleveland on November 11, Bridges played 6:29 in the third quarter and sat out the fourth. It was the sixth time this season he had not played in the final period. He has also been held to 17 minutes in each of the Knicks’ last two games, and played in the teens in four of their last seven.

Brown said Bridges has had both strong and weaker stretches, and pointed to his history as a high-level starter. He said he was not ready to make a sudden change so early in the season. Bridges has played 649 consecutive games and has led the league in minutes three times during his nine-year career.

Landry Shamet, Miles McBride and Jordan Clarkson have earned steadier roles, with Shamet getting the late-game minutes in place of Bridges. The Knicks are 6-5, and the report says replacing Bridges in the starting lineup could be the next option if the team needs a spark.