PHOENIX — Looking up into the stands, a new feeling infiltrated his mind, his body, his entire being. Mikal Bridges had seen it coming for the past couple of minutes as the Milwaukee Bucks pulled away from his Phoenix Suns, but it was not until that buzzer that reality set in. It was foreign to him, and a confused look replaced his usual calm visage. As he weaved in between the celebrating Bucks players toward the locker room, the burden of heartbreak replaced all thoughts.

Losing is not something familiar to Bridges. The Pennsylvania native dropped only 11 games in high school while putting up incredible two-way numbers. With a well-deserved top-100 pedigree, Bridges chose to stay local, opting for Villanova over the likes of Florida and Virginia Tech.

The choice to stay local combined with his charisma off the court fostered a local hero. That persona only grew following his success at Villanova. During his second year on campus, Bridges played a key rotation role on the 2016 National Championship winning team. With the exodus of two starters the following season, Wildcats’ head coach Jay Wright promoted Bridges to the starting lineup for the 2016-17 season.

More consistent minutes translated to better performances. Bridges’ three-point shooting jumped significantly as he matured into the lethal two-way player he is today. An early exit from the NCAA Tournament in 2017 was not good enough, so Bridges helped guide the Wildcats to their second championship in three years during the following campaign. Donte DiVincenzo’s performance took the spotlight, but it was Bridges’ work on both sides of the floor that built the foundation to that Villanova squad.

It is no surprise that Bridges’ name is often found on the roster of winning teams. His deceptively strong frame and 7’1” wingspan haunt many NBA players just three years into his career. A constant defensive pest, Bridges has already cemented himself as a top wing defender in a league dominated by wing creators. His three-point expertise and ability to attack closeouts make him an elite offensive talent that can fit any team across the league. Scoring 13.5 points per game with 1.1 steals, Bridges dominated both sides of the floor for the Suns as a key piece on a championship contender.

In the NBA Finals, that just wasn’t enough. Bridges has never been the focal point of an offense because his creation off the dribble remains limited. As such, he requires other playmakers to get him the ball for him to get shots. In the Suns’ two wins in the NBA Finals, Bridges attempted 13 and 15 shots in games one and two, respectively. In the remaining four games, he never got up more than seven.

It will be hard to avoid the feeling of not doing enough. Not shooting well enough. Not getting enough steals. Not diving for every loose ball. Although the losing and the regrets appear new to Bridges, hard work does not.

The Malvern, Pa. native did not start on his high school team until his junior year, biding his time on the bench as a sophomore. Bridges’ high school coach always gave him the hardest matchup during scrimmages, a trial-by-fire that honed the lockdown defender seen today. Despite the heartwarming choice to stay near home, Bridges spent his entire freshman year on the bench as a redshirt. Just as in high school, Bridges failed to make the starting lineup once in his second year.

After his first two years at Villanova, Bridges made a significant leap emblematic of his time in the gym. With more minutes came more points, but his efficiency improved as well. His shot, originally a dull blade failing to bother most, became a machete slashing opposing defenses.

In his rookie year, Bridges once again faced inconsistent minutes for a team that finished last in the Western Conference. His efficiency dipped from its peaks in college as he struggled to convert his college production to NBA standards. Just as he did in high school and college, Bridges kept his head down, and gradually, his shooting recovered.

As his numbers improved, so did the performances of his team. The Suns went from the 15th best team in the Western Conference to 2nd in two years. In the most recent season, Bridges started every game en route to the NBA Finals.

Now with the rare pain of defeat stinging him this offseason, Bridges will do whatever he can to return to winning ways. He will make sure this loss, this feeling, will not become familiar.

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