Unfiltered Joy: Bridges' Championship Celebration and Unveiling of Locker Room Banter
A Glimpse into Post-Championship Festivities
Following the New York Knicks' recent NBA championship triumph over the San Antonio Spurs, Mikal Bridges, a starting forward for the team and former Phoenix Suns player, engaged in a candid Instagram Live broadcast. This session, held two days after their victory, saw Bridges amidst loud music, holding what seemed to be a dark alcoholic drink, as he shared numerous personal stories and observations, many of which were quite frank and informal in nature.
The Playful Jab from Chris Paul
During his live stream, Bridges recounted a humorous incident involving his former Suns teammate, Chris Paul. He revealed that after his trade from Phoenix to Brooklyn for Kevin Durant in February 2023, Paul sent him a Brooklyn Nets football helmet. Bridges playfully described Paul as a "troll" for this gesture, implying that Paul was teasing him about playing in the Eastern Conference, often associated with a more physical, 'football-like' style of basketball.
Paul's Career Trajectory and Bridges' Acknowledgment
Bridges and Paul were teammates for three seasons with the Suns, notably during their 2021 Finals run. Paul's career subsequently saw him traded to the Washington Wizards in June 2023 for Bradley Beal, then to Golden State, followed by stints with the Spurs and Clippers in 2024 and 2025 as a free agent. Paul ultimately retired in February 2026 after a 21-year career, following a trade to Toronto and subsequent waiver. Despite the humorous jab, Bridges acknowledged Paul as his "vet," showcasing a respectful, if playful, relationship.
Brunson's MVP Motivation and Teammates' Reactions
The Instagram Live also featured Bridges making goat noises in reference to Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson, who was named the Finals MVP. Bridges disclosed that Brunson's stellar performance was significantly fueled by a viral comment from Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon, who had questioned Brunson's ability to lead a team to an NBA title due to his height. Fellow Knicks All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns took to X (formerly Twitter) to commend Bridges' live broadcast as an "all-time great IG Live."
The Knicks' Historic Championship Season
The New York Knicks' journey to the championship marked the end of one of the longest title droughts in NBA history. Their remarkable playoff run included an impressive 13-game winning streak, suffered only three losses, and culminated in an outstanding 282-point differential, solidifying their place in the annals of basketball histor
