Knicks Survive Pesky Portland With Mikal Bridges Winner

A game-winning buzzer-beater from Mikal Bridges and the New York Knicks survive a testy interconference thriller.

Mar 12, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; New York Knicks small forward Mikal Bridges (25) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers small forward Deni Avdija (8) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images / Soobum Im-Imagn Images

At the center of a potential minutes controversy, Mikal Bridges came through for the New York Knicks at the perfect time in the wee hours of Thursday morning.

Bridges' game-winning, buzzer-beating three-point saved the Knicks from embarassment in the Pacific Northwest, as it allowed New York to steal a 114-113 overtime decision from the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. It was the last of a game-best 33 points for Bridges, who perhaps posted the perfect tribute to injured point Jalen Brunson with his clutch antics.

Mar 12, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; New York Knicks small forward Mikal Bridges (25) shoots the game-winning basket over Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) during overtime at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images / Soobum Im-Imagn Images

Bridges' winner, which left no time on the final game clock, was the first of its kind in Knicks history since 2022, when RJ Barrett launched a similar shot against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden.

Wednesday's game featured 42 lead changes, the most in a single NBA game so far this season. Bridges' heroic heave provided the last and allowed the Knicks (42-23) to even things up at two apiece on their ongoing Western road trip.

The equalizing victory was hardly easy to come by: sitting at the cusp of the Western Conference postseason discussion and looking to end a four-game losing streak, Portland (26-39) threw everything it could at the Knicks. New York never broke out to a lead larger than eight despite clutch shooting from OG Anunoby (23 points, including a perfect 5-of-5 mark in the third quarter) and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Scoot Henderson served as the star with 30 points off the bench, all but five coming in the second half and extra session while Deni Avdija followed up a career-best showing against Golden State with a 27-point, 15-rebound double-double.

Both sides saved the best for last, as neither led by more than four until the penultimate minute. Towns appeared to provide the victorious margin with consecutive three-pointers that put the Knicks up by six but Henderson fought back with varying triples: he sliced the lead back in half with one from deep and responded to a Bridges double with a successful and-one.

Two more singles, from the charity stripe after a Mitchell Robinson foul, tied the game with just over three seconds remaining and set up overtime, the Knicks' fifth such showing over the last month of play.

Once the Knicks went up by one on a Bridges double with 2:50 remaining, neither team got on the board again until Avdija pulled off a successful and-one at just over three ticks left on the clock. The Blazers' final offensive possession was set up when Josh Hart was called for traveling on the inbounds pass after Miles McBride rejected a would-be winner from Henderson, one of two blocks for Brunson's substitute in the starting five.

Mar 12, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; New York Knicks small forward Mikal Bridges (25) celebrates with point guard Miles McBride (2) after the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images / Soobum Im-Imagn Images

That's when Bridges, who reportedly expressed issue with the Knicks' heavy reliance on starters, pulled off his heroics, taking a pass from Josh Hart at the top of the key and sinking the victorious triple that set off a raucous celebration on the visitors' bench and in the Moda Center stands, where Manhattan fans routinely outvoiced their hosts.

Portland will get a rematch against New York on March 30 at MSG. In the meantime, the Knicks' five-game road trip concludes on Saturday when they face a rematch with the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC).

Make sure you bookmark Knicks on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns as and so much more!

• Tom Thibodeau Responds to Mikal Bridges Request
• Mikal Bridges Asks Knicks Coach to Play Starters Fewer Minutes
• Knicks Rookie Sends Gift to Alma Mater Before March Madness
• Knicks Already Benefitting From Mitchell Robinson's Return
• Former NBA Veteran: Knicks Must Expand Rotation