Mikal Bridges’ long-awaited emergence couldn’t come at a better time for the Knicks

He wasn’t the Knicks’ highest scorer on Wednesday. Or the second, or third.

But for the third consecutive game, Mikal Bridges looked comfortable and confident on offense — a significant departure from a three-game stretch in the first round during which he failed to even break double figures.

The 29-year-old has never needed to be the alpha opposite Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby, even if he’s capable of it in certain games.

But — fair or not — the specter of the five first-round picks used to acquire him from Brooklyn hangs over Bridges whenever he has a poor night. And zero points in a playoff game, like he had in Game 3 against Atlanta, just isn’t going to cut it.