Miles Bridges made his return to the NBA on Friday after missing the entirety of the 2022-23 season and first 10 games of this season due to a suspension from a domestic violence case last year.
Bridges received mixed reactions upon taking the court midway through the first quarter during the Hornets’ NBA In-Season Tournament game against the Bucks — the first time he played in 583 days.
The majority of fans inside the Spectrum Center applauded Bridges as he entered the game, and some stood up in support, while some others could be heard booing in video clips shared from the venue.
Bridges pleaded no contest to felony charges last November, stemming from an incident last summer in which he was accused of choking his girlfriend, breaking her nose and giving her a concussion.
The former couple share two children.
Bridges was sentenced to probation, 100 hours of community service and was required to attend parenting courses and counseling.
In October this year, he turned himself in after a warrant issued in January, and he appeared before a district court judge before he was released on a $1,000 bond.
In a statement this week, the Hornets said they felt “comfortable” welcoming Bridges back.
“Miles Bridges is eligible to return to our active roster on Friday after serving his NBA suspension,” the statement read. “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.”
On Thursday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver also addressed Bridges’ return on Sportsnet 590 The FAN.
“From my standpoint, I believe we have been consistent, in that we’re applying the same principles to every case,” Silver said. “No fact pattern is exactly alike, and I think everybody is entitled to due process and a fair system, regardless of whether they’re in a union or not. In this case, these players are represented by a strong union, and that’s a collectively bargained process.
“But unless you’re intimately into the facts of each case, you have to understand that the result is based on an investigation and a very deep understanding — at least the best we’re in a position to do so — to understand exactly what happened. In terms of new allegations, put yourself in that players’ shoes, or anybody in which there’s an allegation.
“Everybody’s entitled to due process and everybody’s entitled to a fair hearing. To the extent there’s other things that we’re looking at, that’s an independent investigation and until there are findings there, it would be unfair to punish a player, or anyone, under those circumstances. We believe in the rule of law in this league, and we believe in due process.
“Yes, in deciding the appropriate discipline, contrition and the players’ reaction to the incident is of course important. But once again, I don’t want to pre-judge any other allegeations that have been made against him. That’s why there are investigations, that’s why there is a process in place.”
Bridges had 12 points, shooting 4-for-10 from the field and 2 of 4 from the 3-point line, along with three assists and one steal after three quarters on Friday.
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