Mikal Bridges steps up for shorthanded Knicks to power win over Bucks in potential playoff preview

MILWAUKEE — This is the Mikal Bridges the Knicks traded all those picks for.They’d certainly like to see this version more often. In need of an alpha with Jalen Brunson still sidelined with his ankle injury, Karl-Anthony Towns in early foul trouble and OG Anunoby off to a quiet start, Bridges took over as the Knicks’ primary scorer.

He recorded 26 points in the Knicks’ 116-107 win over the Bucks Friday night at Fiserv Forum, 15 of which came in a red-hot second quarter.And the Knicks never looked back. Beyond elevating to the primary scorer, Bridges served as the de facto ball-handler with Brunson, Miles McBride (groin) and Cam Payne (ankle) all injured.Head coach Tom Thibodeau opted to start Delon Wright instead of Tyler Kolek, the only true point guard available, which prompted Bridges to handle the bulk of distributing duties.

And Bridges filled the role admirably, finishing with five assists. For his own part, Wright chipped in 12 points in 30 minutes. Anunoby took the pressure off Bridges in the second half and took over late, pouring in 31 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter.But it was Bridges’ second-quarter spark that helped the Knicks build a lead they never surrendered. The win marked a rare strong showing against a quality opponent — the Knicks improved their record against teams over .500 to 12-18.They are also now 6-5 since Brunson went out, with Friday being their first against a team over .500 in that stretch. The Bucks were without star Damian Lillard, however, who is dealing with deep vein thrombosis.

But they still had plenty of firepower available in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyle Kuzma and Brook Lopez. Friday could be a potential playoff preview, with the Knicks sitting at the No.3 seed in the East and the Bucks currently in sixth.

All the injuries mean both teams will likely look pretty different by the postseason, but the Knicks will finish the regular season 3-0 in the matchup. The Bucks are now 2-3 without Lillard,...