India, May 26 -- For the New York Knicks, reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 was already a historic moment - but for Mikal Bridges, the celebration carried an extra layer of significance. While the Knicks booked their place on the biggest stage with a dominant sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bridges quietly added his name to the NBA record books at the same time.

The Knicks forward has now become the first player in league history to reach two separate NBA Finals appearances without missing a single game in between. With New York's Finals qualification, Bridges extended his remarkable ironman streak to 709 consecutive games played, continuing one of the most durable runs the NBA has ever seen.

Mikal Bridges is the f...