Knicks' Three-Point Shooting Slump Persists
Mikal Bridges and the Knicks have struggled from beyond the arc through six games, with the team shooting 35.2% from three-point range.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Basketball
Mikal Bridges has shot 15-of-45 from the field through six games, and the Knicks are shooting 35.2% from three-point range, 83-for-236. Coach Mike Brown and Bridges spoke to reporters about the shooting struggles.
Why it matters
The Knicks' perimeter shooting is central to their offensive efficiency, and the early-season struggles raise questions about shot quality and execution. Brown attributed the slump to a combination of mental, physical, and quick-decision factors rather than a single cause.
Through six games, Bridges is averaging 6.2 points per game, and the Knicks have made 83 of 236 three-point attempts (35.2%). Excluding the Chicago game, the Knicks are shooting 32.4% from deep, and it remains unclear whether the open-look rate will translate into improved percentages.
The players
Mikal Bridges
A veteran wing who was acquired by the Knicks and has averaged 15.0 points per game against Brooklyn over seven games since the trade.
Mike Brown
The Knicks head coach who classifies three-point attempts into red, yellow, and green categories to evaluate shot quality.
The details
Coach Mike Brown classifies each three-point attempt as red, yellow, or green based on defensive proximity, and the Knicks had roughly 26 open green attempts in a 98-93 loss in Philadelphia, shooting only about 33 to 35 percent on those looks. Bridges went 0-of-8 in Boston on Oct. 23 before going 5-of-8 in Philadelphia.
Timeline
- Oct. 23: Bridges went 0-of-8 in Boston.
- Friday: Bridges went 5-of-8 in a 98-93 loss in Philadelphia.
- Wednesday: The Knicks won in Chicago, shooting 22-for-48 from three-point range.
- Monday: The Knicks face the Brooklyn Nets.
Season Trajectory
The Knicks are built around perimeter spacing in an NBA where three-point volume has become the league's central offensive driver. Their early-season shooting dip, if it persists, would test whether shot quality alone can carry an offense through a slow start.
Fantasy managers relying on Bridges should weigh his 29.2% three-point mark and 6.2 points per game against his strong recent history versus Brooklyn. Monday's matchup against the Nets offers a concrete test for both his scoring output and his perimeter efficiency.
The takeaway
Shot quality and shot selection can look sound on paper while shooting percentages lag, so early-season three-point numbers should be read with patience. The Knicks' next few games will show whether the open looks begin to fall.
What happens next
The Knicks face the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, the next scheduled opportunity to see whether the shooting trends shift.
Further reading
For more on the team's perimeter play, explore Basketball coverage for New York City.
