This evening, eyes will be particularly focused on the meeting between Charlotte and Milwaukee. 583 days after his last NBA game, Miles Bridges will indeed be allowed to play again with the Hornets. Sidelined last season while his judgment for domestic violence was rendered, the Charlotte winger has finished serving his ten-game suspension and will therefore be able to rejoin Steve Clifford’s roster.
His return is particularly expected in Charlotte following the Hornets’ chaotic start to the season. Listening to his coach in the middle of the week, he is a bit expected to be the savior. The one who will have the means to once again tip the North Carolina franchise to the right side of the Eastern Conference, with his status as the team’s top scorer and best rebounder in 2022.
“He gave it his all, but you can’t know where he is because it’s not easy to play again after sitting for so long.” recalled Steve Clifford after Thursday’s practice. “It might take a little time, but he did his best to give himself a chance to play well from the start. He’s in good shape and he’s put in a lot of extra effort.”
Concerned about the reaction of the Spectrum Center
For the player, the expectations will be double since beyond the sporting aspect, he will have to manage the media context while he must appear before a judge in February 2024, after having violated the protection order which he was under. object towards the victim, Mychelle Johnson the mother of his two children. Enough to approach his return with a touch of anxiety, “like before the first day of school”he confided, fearing in particular the reception that will be given to him by the audience at the Spectrum Center this evening.
“Basketball has been my sanctuary, and being away from it for a year was difficult for me, so I’m happy to be back”said Miles Bridges. “I know a lot of people feel some uneasiness about me coming back and I understand that. As I said before, I need to regain their trust. I’m going to go out on the field to play and if I can win us a few games, I think people will change their minds about me a little bit. I will try to go out on the pitch and help the team as much as possible.”
When formalizing his return, the Hornets nevertheless clarified that they remained in contact with the NBA until the new legal procedure concerning Miles Bridges ends.
| Miles Bridges | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | CHA | 80 | 21 | 46.4 | 32.5 | 75.3 | 0.8 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 7.5 |
| 2019-20 | CHA | 65 | 31 | 42.4 | 33.0 | 80.9 | 1.4 | 4.2 | 5.6 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 13.0 |
| 2020-21 | CHA | 66 | 29 | 50.3 | 40.0 | 86.7 | 1.2 | 4.8 | 6.0 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 12.7 |
| 2021-22 | CHA | 80 | 36 | 49.1 | 33.1 | 80.2 | 1.1 | 5.9 | 7.0 | 3.8 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 20.2 |
| Total | 291 | 29 | 47.3 | 34.6 | 80.9 | 1.1 | 4.5 | 5.6 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 13.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
