As the NBA playoffs come closer, the Brooklyn Nets have successfully established their position at number five in the Eastern Conference with a considerable lead over Miami Heat. Last evening, when the Brooklyn Nets took on the Philadelphia 76ers and lost 98-101 at home, small forward Mikal Bridges managed to register 23 points. However, one of the three-pointers shot by the small forward found a relatively unique celebration, which holds its roots in the MLB’s San Diego Padres.

Mikal Bridgers, who eventually revealed his baseball phase, inspired by the Phillies and the Padres’ Manny Machado, spoke about the roots of his brand new three-point celebration.

A special San Diego Padres celebration for a rising Brooklyn Nets star

In the post-match conference, Bridges, who moved to the Nets after the giant Kevin Durant trade, divulged into talking about the typical Padres celebration when a batter manages a double or more. The small forward spoke about Manny Machado in particular, whose subtle but powerful celebrations inspired his move, which pointed toward the dugout and turned his head.

Mikal Bridges said, “I’m happy you guys like it. It’s one of my favorites. I actually got that from the Padres. So every time they get a double or more, they’ll look at their sidelines, bullpen, or whatever, dugout and they just point and just head turn. I got into a baseball phase, I watch the Phillies all the time. So like, I’ll be locked.”

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In addition to that, he spoke about Machado’s influence during his “baseball phase,” and how he incorporated it into his game. He said, “And I’m a big fan of Manny Machado. So watching him get doubles and stuff like that I’m just watching the game and I see him point and turn the head. I’m going to add that. I’m going to add that in my own little three-point way. Happy I’m making it through so that I can make it.”

Bridges’ celebration gets validated by Padres fans:

Various Padres fans instantly reached the reactions of this Nets Video tweet with videos of Machado’s head-turn and point celebration. Fans absolutely loved the celebration and expressed immense love toward the small forward.

This is how fans reacted:

https://twitter.com/GrandSlamPadres/status/1624641435285745664?s=20&t=Rkb2oFop6JeBeS6jnJRMjQ

https://twitter.com/r_jay_macready/status/1624664311351373824?s=20&t=x9VG24hkdmEAgFYBIIJaLA

What do you think about Mikal Bridges’ new celebration? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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