Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges is excited to play basketball again. The Michigan State product’s suspension is over and he is eligible to play on November 17 against the Milwaukee Bucks.
“It feels good,” Bridges said on November 16. “I’ve waited what, 588 days? So I’m just excited. I feel like the first day of school when I was a kid. So I’m just happy to get back.”
Last November, Bridges pleaded no contest to a felony domestic violence charge and was sentenced to three years of probation as part of a deal with prosecutors after being accused of assaulting his then-girlfriend in front of their two children in May 2022. Bridges didn’t play at all last season.
“A little bit of everything,” Bridges said. “I wouldn’t say nervous because I’ve been doing this my whole life. I would say anxious because basketball has been my sanctuary, and for me to be away from it for a year, it’s kind of been hard on me. So I’m just happy to be back.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Miles Bridges & Charlotte Hornets Updates
Bridges has career averages of 13.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists. The lefty was the 12th overall pick in the 2018 draft. Bridges signed a $7.9 million qualifying offer with the Hornets in July.
“I know a lot of people feel a way about me being back and I understand that,” Bridges said. “And like I said before, I have to gain their trust back. So I’m just going out there and looking to play. I feel like if I can get us some more wins, I feel like people’s perspective will change a little bit on me. But I’m just trying to get out there and help the team as much as I can and I miss playing against these fans.”
A criminal summons was issued for Bridges in October for violating a domestic violence protective order, misdemeanor child abuse and injury to personal property. Bridges is accused of throwing billiard balls at his former girlfriend’s vehicle while the children were inside it, smashing the windshield and leaving dents in the car.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Miles Bridges & Charlotte Hornets Updates
“It’s under review right now, so I can’t really talk about that,” Bridges said. “But on the court, though, I’ve been doing good, conditioning, putting up shots, working with my teammates, getting accustomed to how we play.”
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