Hornets F Miles Bridges set to return after sitting out final season and serving 10-game suspension

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Hornets ahead Miles Bridges is “anxious” to make his return to NBA motion, saying it feels “like the first day of school.”

Bridges is ready to return to the court docket Friday evening for the primary time in 583 days towards the Milwaukee Bucks for an NBA In-Season Tournament sport after sitting out all of final season and finishing a 10-game suspension this yr for his position in a home violence case in 2022.

Bridges’ return comes at the same time as he has a pending court docket date for allegedly violating a safety order stemming from the home violence incident that derailed his NBA profession greater than 16 months in the past.

That court docket date had been set for Monday, however was rescheduled for Feb. 20, 2024.

He declined to touch upon the case as a result of it’s ongoing.

“Basketball has been my sanctuary and for me to be away from it for a year has been kind of hard on me, so I’m just happy to be back,” Bridges mentioned after Thursday’s follow.

The NBA confirmed to The Associated Press that it’s permitting Bridges to play whereas the case stays within the courts.

The Hornets launched an announcement Thursday earlier than follow saying: “We are comfortable with Miles returning to play based on our current understanding of the facts of the recent allegations and remain in contact with the NBA as that matter proceeds through the court process.”

The league imposed a 30-game suspension this summer time for Bridges, however he was given credit score for 20 video games time served after sitting out all 82 video games final season.

The 25-year-old Bridges anticipated to supply an enormous increase for Charlotte, which went 3-7 in his absence to begin the season.

He is taken into account one of many staff’s greatest gamers and has a notable, and at instances electrical, chemistry with level guard LaMelo Ball.

Hornets head coach Steve Clifford mentioned he received’t determine till Friday if Bridges will begin towards the Bucks, however confirmed that he’ll play fairly a bit.

“He’s worked really hard, but you don’t know because it’s not easy to not play a game after (sitting out) this length of time,” Clifford mentioned. “It may take a little bit but he has done everything he can do to give himself a good chance to play well early. He’s gotten in really good shape and he does a lot extra. He has worked very hard.”

It could take a while for the previous Michigan State product to knock off the rust, as he final performed for the Hornets on April 12, 2022, wrapping up a season during which he led the staff in scoring at 20.2 factors per sport.

Entering the summer time of 2022, Bridges appeared headed for a contract value in extra of $100 million as a restricted free agent, however was arrested and charged in Los Angeles on a number of counts of home violence simply days earlier than the beginning of free company.

Bridges entered a plea of no contest in November to a felony home violence cost and the remaining counts towards him have been dismissed.

The Hornets re-signed Bridges to a one-year, $7.9 million contract this summer time, however not too long ago allegations have been made that he violated the phrases of his restraining order and he turned himself into police in Lincoln County on Oct. 13. Bridges appeared earlier than a district court docket choose and was launched on $1,000 bond.

Bridges “unlawfully” and “knowingly” violated the safety order, and “continually contacted the victim,” in response to court docket paperwork.

Bridges mentioned he isn’t certain what sort of reception he’ll obtain from the group on the Spectrum Center, however mentioned he feels he deserves one other likelihood as a result of “I know what type of person I am.”

“I know a lot of people feel a (certain) way about me being back and I understand that. Like I said before, I have to gain their trust back,” Bridges mentioned. “I’m going out there looking to play and if I can get us some more wins I feel like people’s perspective will change a little bit on me. I’m trying to get out there and help the team as much as I can.”