Mikal Bridges took his New York Knicks title celebration straight to Instagram Live after Game 5, and not even Jalen Brunson could talk him out of it.
The Knicks had just ended a 53-year wait, beating the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win the franchise's first championship since 1973. Bridges, free of the all-business focus he carries on the court, chose to celebrate in public.
What followed was a long, unfiltered livestream that ripped through social media within hours. Teammates were roasted, nicknames were handed out, and the clips kept coming. By the time it ended, his teammates had given up trying to stop him.
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Brunson and Josh Hart sat down with ESPN's Scott Van Pelt a couple of days later, and the host wanted to know whether anyone had reminded Bridges that not every moment needs to be captured on camera.
Van Pelt put it plainly: "Has the necessary conversation been had by anybody with Mikal that not all of life needs to be content?"
Hart saw little point in pretending otherwise. He said: "Nah."
Brunson , though, revealed he had at least made an effort — and been shut down on the spot.
He said: "I texted him and said get off live and he sent back NO in all caps so I tried."
Hart had the final word on the whole spectacle. He added: "The best live in the history of IG."
The stream gave the internet plenty to work with. Bridges called him the GOAT and insisted Brunson deserves a statue outside Madison Square Garden .
He worked through the rest of the roster too, dishing out nicknames and praise in equal measure, and even relayed a since-viral claim about a rule owner James Dolan had set for the playoff run.
Bridges is a serious competitor when he is on the floor, but with a championship ring finally on his finger, he clearly felt he had earned the right to let loose.
That he has.
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