Mikal Bridges was the centerpiece of a trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns, so the Brooklyn Nets think highly of the wing.
While some may view Bridges as more a complimentary piece on a championship-contending roster, the former Villanova star is beginning to show what he can do when he is the primary option in an offensive system.
Bridges scored a career-high 45 points (17-24 FG, 4-6 3P) with 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. His previous career-high was 34 points.
The Nets were able to secure the victory and his teammates were clearly enjoying themselves, too.
Had to put on a show in front of mom pic.twitter.com/R03VrwuRGR
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 16, 2023
After the dominant performance, the 26-year-old rushed to the crowd and found his mother, Tyneeha Rivers. He then took the jersey off his back so she could have it in her collection.
This was a wonderful, heartwarming exchange that showed the genuine love that the Brooklyn star shares with his mother. Back in 2021, when he played for the Suns, Bridges spoke to me about the financial literacy he picked up from his mom,
Rivers worked for the Philadelphia 76ers — who originally drafted Bridges before trading his rights to Philadelphia — for several years.
