Brooklyn Nets wing Mikal Bridges has the longest streak of consecutive games played held by any active player in the NBA.
As the old saying goes, the best ability is availability and that is a massively important part of Bridges’ identity. He hasn’t missed a game since his junior year of high school.
While he has said the number of games played in the streak itself is more of a media narrative and construction than one he tells himself, he has always said that he is “always gonna play” no matter the situation if he is healthy.
Mikal Bridges: “Didn’t like the choice and whatever that was. But it’s whatever. Definitely was not a fan.”
Did you need a rest:
"No, never do." #nets— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) December 28, 2023
So it was especially frustrating for Bridges to only play 13 minutes when the Nets were defeated by the Bucks on Wednesday. When asked about the decision, Bridges said he “didn’t like the choice” and that he was not a fan.
Bridges maintained that he didn’t need any rest in this match but was given time on the bench anyway.
Nets coach Jacque Vaughn explained that Bridges had played 40 minutes the previous night and he felt it “wouldn’t be wise” to use him a similar way just one day later.
Told about Jacque Vaughn's comments that Mikal Bridges played because of the streak, he said: “I guess for their purposes is why. But I’m healthy, so I [don't] see why I wouldn't play.” #nets
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) December 28, 2023
After the game, Vaughn told reporters that Bridges “has a streak going on” that no one wanted to see end.
Bridges was told about Vaughn’s comments and he maintained that he was healthy and felt he should contribute if he can.
Even though Bridges’ consecutive games played streak remains intact, his reaction says a lot about how important it is for him to play as often as he possibly can.
This is a situation that likely should have had a resolution between the two parties before the game began so they were both on the same page when they spoke to reporters.
