Jalen Bridges spent last season on a two-way deal with the Phoenix Suns. But after his rookie year ended, the franchise chose to part ways with the former Baylor and West Virginia star.
Bridges' agent told him the best opportunity for his career was likely joining the Boston Celtics for Summer League. That may have seemed questionable when he stayed glued to the pine in their first game in Las Vegas, a 92-78 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
However, the six-foot-eight forward started as first-round pick Hugo Gonzalez sat out the first half of Boston's back-to-back. Bridges was ready for his opportunity.
He generated 16 points on 6/10 shooting and grabbed five rebounds. His best work came on the defensive end of the floor. The West Virginia native swiped two steals and registered a pair of rejections.
After the Celtics' 94-81 win over the New York Knicks, their Sin City head coach, Matt Reynolds, told Hardwood Houdini that what impressed him about Bridges' performance went well beyond the box score.
"I saw a guy that's ready to play," said Reynolds. "It's not easy to do that, to watch, sit on the bench, and then get inserted into a starting lineup, and then just fill a role. I don't think he was out there trying to do too much. I think he does exactly what you expect him to do. He's a pro. He knows what he's doing, and we commend him for stepping in, having not played, and contributing to a win."
A dime from Amari 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/P28UMFd1w3
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 13, 2025
As for what Bridges wants to showcase at Summer League, he said his goals start with demonstrating an effort level that will endear him to the organization he's representing and those watching around the league.
"My goals are [to] just go out and play hard," voiced the 24-year-old forward. "Play with effort. When you do that, the Basketball Gods are going to take care of you. The ball just seems to find you. Whether that be transition, making the layup, [or] making an easy, open shot, when you play hard, the rest takes care of itself. So that's really just what I'm trying to hang my hat on, to be the hardest player."
Bridges reflects on why his time with the Suns ended abruptly
In his one-year stay in the desert, Bridges appeared in eight games with the Suns. He averaged 1.1 points in 3.8 minutes of floor time.
Looking back on the Suns' decision to cut ties with him, he blames himself.
"I don't think I was surprised. I mean, I'm very self-aware. I don't necessarily feel like I gave them reasons to keep me. I feel like I had a good season, but I know what I'm capable of, and I feel like I didn't play up to that. I didn't live up to that. So, I mean, it is what it is. It's a business, and I'm just happy for this opportunity."
As Bridges fights for his basketball career, a journey that could take him anywhere from the Auerbach Center in the fall to a two-way opportunity elsewhere, or heading overseas, his roots and a focus on maximizing the present keep concern from taking over.
"I feel like coming from where I come from, I think I'm the first active player from West Virginia in like, seven, eight years. So just having that chip on my shoulder every day. I know where I come from, and [I'm] not trying to go back. So I have got to go a little bit harder than everybody else. And that's just the reality of the situation, especially when you have that undrafted tag on. So you have got to keep working, be present, be where my feet are, and control what I can on a daily basis, and just keep trying to make improvements."
Regardless of what comes next, Bridges ensuring his next opportunity plays out differently than it did in Phoenix starts with that approach.