Mikal Bridges’ streak may be very a lot alive and unbelievable by in the present day’s NBA requirements.
However the Knicks guard isn’t kidding himself.
A.C. Inexperienced’s report of 1,192 straight video games is untouchable.
“No method I’m catching him,” Bridges stated. “I’ve gotta see what he was doing on the finish [of his streak]. I’m wondering if he was subbing in and subbing out. It ain’t that deep, I promise you. I’m simply making an attempt to play.”
Bridges has logged 474 consecutive appearances — by no means lacking a recreation since getting drafted in 2018 — and might be underselling the importance of the streak since he performed simply 4 seconds of his Brooklyn finale to maintain it alive.
From a historic perspective, Bridges’ streak is simply the thirteenth longest within the NBA — behind the likes of John Stockton and Derek Fisher. However within the age of load administration and damage upkeep, the persistent availability is a distant outlier. No present participant comes near Bridges’ lively streak.
He stated Wednesday it’s a mixture of luck, genes and dedication to restoration.
“Folks have requested me what’s the key, and I’m simply, like, ‘I’m blessed.’ I’ve received skinny bones that might maintain up very well,” Bridges stated. “Simply doing quite a lot of restoration and lifting. Simply doing issues to assist stop [injuries]. That’s just about it.”
Bridges then famous that he was among the many final Knicks gamers within the locker room after Wednesday evening’s preseason victory over the Wizards.
“I’m not staying right here simply chilling,” stated Bridges, who performed 31 minutes within the preseason recreation with three steals and 16 factors. “I’m doing stuff for restoration to assist my physique and assist myself be higher for the subsequent day ’trigger that’s the most important factor — you’ll really feel OK now, however it’s that subsequent day if you get up. So making an attempt to really feel good tonight so tomorrow I gained’t really feel as unhealthy.”
Now 28 and getting into his seventh season, Bridges stated he’s picked up new methods to keep up his well being, together with cupping and dry needling remedy.
“I really feel as I received older I all the time added one thing and simply realized. The cups are one thing that was new. Needling final yr was new,” Bridges stated. “Simply including little issues I’ve by no means actually completed earlier than.”
However irrespective of what number of methods Bridges picks up, nonetheless, Inexperienced’s mark from 23 years in the past is out of the image. To be able to catch that streak, Bridges must play each recreation for the subsequent 8 ¾ seasons.
Some information are supposed to keep endlessly.
