TORONTO — Mikal Bridges had an epiphany.
He had been passive and struggling for about a month, carrying the look and feel of a player who wasn’t on the level necessary for his team to succeed.
But something changed during Wednesday’s 119-92 victory over the Raptors. He went from unsure to extremely effective, dropping a game-high 30 points and carrying the Knicks to a feel-good win under difficult circumstances.
Mikal Bridges shoots a long jumper during the Knicks’ 119-92 blowout victory over the Raptors on Jan. 28, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. NBAE via Getty Images
“In the past weeks… I think the past weeks I was just… just feeling like I wasn’t being coachable to my standard,” Bridges said. “I don’t know what it was — maybe I was feeling too entitled. But it was something where I had to sit down and talk to myself a little bit, and just look at yourself in the mirror and what type of player I want to be.
“It was affecting me personally on both sides of the ball.”
Bridges and the Knicks came alive in the third quarter in Toronto. And on the same day news broke that the Bucks were fielding offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo — a development that interests New York’s front office — the short-handed Knicks pulled off an impressive comeback.
The heroes were the wings, Bridges and OG Anunoby, who combined for 56 points and keyed the second-half turnaround that extended New York’s winning streak to four games.
They compensated for a sickly off night from Jalen Brunson, who was battling an illness and managed just 13 points and sat most of the second half.
There was also a tactical adjustment from the players and staff, realizing they have to fight the Raptors ball pressure with quick drives rather than half-court sets.
“We had to throw out everything we had to do offensively in terms of sets and early offense and say, ‘Hey, if they’re up in you, go by them,’” coach Mike Brown said.
Karl-Anthony Towns was ineffective offensively (just eight points) but provided the highlight of the evening — a nifty over-the-shoulder pass to Bridges during that game-breaking third-quarter run. Towns sprinted to the hoop from the trail position, just in time to grab an offensive rebound — the 19th of his season-high 22 boards Wednesday — and shovel his no-look assist to a streaking Bridges while falling out of bounds.
It gave the Knicks a nine-point lead, which expanded to 27 by the final buzzer.
“I took a good guess that [Bridges] would be in that area, trusted him,” Towns said. “Trust was rewarded, he was exactly where I thought he was and we were able to get two points and keep the momentum going.”
OG Anunoby looks to make a play during the Knicks’ blowout road win over the Raptors. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Knicks (29-18) improved to 3-0 against the Raptors (29-20) this season. They trailed by as many as 12 in the first half and won the second 72-41. They killed the Raptors spirit with a 13-0 run to end the third quarter, perhaps their best stretch since New Year’s Eve.
Bridges scored 19 of his 30 points in the third quarter, shooting 12-for-15 overall. It was his best game in a long time. Same with Anunoby.
“[Anunoby] had six steals, seven deflections. Those numbers are unheard of defensively,” Brown praised. “The thing I loved about OG was his ability to attack the rim. He attacked the rim like a grown man. His finishes were unbelievable.”
The result had implications on the standings. The teams entered Wednesday in a virtual tie for third in the East, behind the Pistons and Celtics. The Knicks are now a full game ahead.
Karl-Anthony Towns drives to the basket as Sandro Mamukelashvili defends during the first half of the Knicks’ road win over the Raptors. Getty Images
Brown said it didn’t matter, not in January.
“I haven’t looked at it recently, but I know we’re right there. There’s still a lot of basketball left,” the coach said. “Every game is important. Try to go get it. But it’s not the end of the world because there’s a long season left. If we win, it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to finish ahead of them. If they win, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to finish ahead of us.”
Still, it was an impressive finish given the circumstances. The Knicks were missing players and visibly exhausted in the first half after playing Tuesday night and flying from New York to Toronto. Miles McBride and Mitchell Robinson were load managing and unavailable. Josh Hart, who finished with 22 points and six assists, was dealing with a sore ankle.
The team was also enduring trade rumors following the news about the availability of Antetokounmpo, who is a Knicks target and will require a haul in return.
At least for one night, it was easier to forget about the Greek Freak. And easier to remember what Bridges is capable of.
