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.
Mikal Bridges attempts a shot during the Knicks’ win on March 28. AP
Mikal Bridges defends Giannis Antetokounmpo during the Knicks’ win. Imagn Images
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.
Josh Harts fights for the ball during the Knicks’ win. AP
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.
Karl-Anthony Towns drives to the basket during the Knicks’ win March 28. AP
The Bucks are now 2-3 without Lillard, who they said is out indefinitely while he’s on blood thinning medication.
They haven’t ruled him out for the postseason, though.
But the Knicks should now like how they stack up in the matchup regardless.
Antetokounmpo led the Bucks in scoring with 27 points, but did not take over as he so often does.
Mitchell Robinson, after a rough showing in Wednesday’s loss to the Clippers, was the defender largely tasked with guarding Antetokounmpo.
He responded with one of his more active games of the year since returning from his foot injury — he only scored two points, but he hauled in 10 rebounds, four of which came on the offensive end.
It helped the Knicks own the offensive glass — they had 14 offensive boards to the Bucks’ three.
He also played 18 minutes after just 12:47 on Wednesday.
Towns chipped in 14 points.
Kolek held his own in his surprisingly limited minutes, recording five points and five assists.
Josh Hart filled up the stat sheet once again with 13 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists.
