Miles Bridges, a former Charlotte Hornets forward, has been suspended by the NBA for 30 games without pay for a domestic violence incident (NBA.com). As reported in CBS Sports, Bridges pleaded no contest to the charge, and already served 20 games of this suspension during the 2022-23 season. The suspension comes after a December 2021 incident involving the mother of Bridges’ two children. According to Fox News, Bridges missed the entire 2022-23 season without pay, making the actual number of missed games less than 30.
Bridges was a first-round pick in the 2018 NBA draft and has not played in the league during the current season. He is now a free agent. The Athletic reports that Bridges pleaded no contest to a felony domestic violence charge in November, and as part of the plea deal, he faces three years of probation.
This is not Bridges’ first run-in with the law. As reported in Sports Illustrated, the NBA suspended him in October 2021 for violating the league’s anti-drug program. Bridges apologized at the time and said he would work to regain his teammates’ trust.
Bridges played two seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, where he was known for his athleticism and highlight-reel dunks. He averaged 15.7 points and 6 rebounds per game during the 2022-23 season. According to USA Today, Bridges was a key player for the Hornets, and his suspension will be a blow to the team if he is signed by another team in the future.
The NBA has taken steps in recent years to address domestic violence in the league. In 2017, they introduced a policy that included mandatory education for players, team staff, and NBA personnel, as well as a hotline for victims. The NBA also formed a committee on social justice and racial equality in 2020, which includes current and former players, coaches, and executives.
This suspension serves as a reminder that domestic violence is not tolerated in any workplace, including professional sports. The NBA has made it clear that this behavior will not be tolerated, and Bridges will have to take responsibility for his actions and work to regain the trust of his teammates and fans if he returns to the league in the future.
