Editor's Note: The following story deals with domestic violence, and may be distressing for some readers.
NBA free agent and former Hornets forward Miles Bridges has been suspended by the NBA as a result of a "domestic violence incident involving the mother of his children" that occurred on June 27, 2022, the league has announced.
The suspension is for 30 games. The NBA has deemed that Bridges has already served 20 games of his suspension, so he will have to sit the remaining 10 games if he signs a contract with a team.
Here is the latest on Bridges' punishment, including what happens next.
Miles Bridges news, updates: Plea deal, punishment
In November, Bridges was present in court and pleaded no contest, which means he was accepting punishment and conviction without formally admitting guilt.
As part of his deal, Bridges received three years probation but will not serve any jail time. His plea deal also requires the following during the course of his three-year probation:
- Undergo 52 weeks of domestic counseling
- Undergo 52 weeks of parenting classes
- Serve 100 hours of community service
- Undergo weekly drug testing
- Pay an $800 fine — $500 for domestic violence, $300 for restitution
- Cannot own any weapons or ammunition
- Obey 10-year protective restraining order from woman
Will Miles Bridges play in the NBA again?
As it stands, Bridges is not under contract with an NBA team, though he is now free to sign. Under terms of the NBA collective bargaining agreement and because he pleaded no contest, the league has the right to fine, suspend, dismiss or disqualify Bridges from any further involvement with the NBA. The league chose to suspend him for 30 games.
The NBA's Domestic Violence Policy says the following:
The Commissioner may fine, suspend, or dismiss and disqualify from any further association with the NBA and its teams a player who engages in prohibited conduct in violation of this Policy. Repeat offenders will be subject to enhanced discipline.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Dec. 23 that the Hornets and Bridges were "gathering traction in talks on a new deal" and there was optimism an agreement could come soon.
The Hornets later announced that they had not been engaged in contract negotiations with Bridges.
Miles Bridges contract
The No. 12 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Bridges signed a four-year, $16.3 million contract with the Hornets.
On Oct. 3, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that the Hornets and Bridges allowed his qualifying offer to expire. This means that Bridges could no longer return to the team in the 2022-23 season for the $7.9 million qualifying offer that was extended to make him a restricted free agent.
Miles Bridges arrest details
TMZ reported that Bridges turned himself in to the LAPD following an argument with a woman that turned physical.
Police were called to the scene, but Bridges was gone by the time law enforcement had arrived, TMZ reported. The woman required medical attention, per TMZ, but the extent of her injuries was unclear.
After being charged with felony domestic violence, Bridges was released on $130,000 bond, according to LA Sheriff's Department records. If convicted, he could have served time in a California state prison.
On July 19, the Los Angeles County district attorney said Bridges was facing three felony domestic violence charges — one count of injuring a child's parent and two counts of child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death.
"Domestic violence creates physical, mental and emotional trauma that has a lasting impact on survivors," District Attorney George Gascon said. "Children who witness family violence are especially vulnerable and the impact on them is immeasurable."
Bridges pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on July 20, per ESPN's Baxter Holmes. On Oct. 12, Holmes reported that Bridges had his case continued until Oct. 17.
The NBA announced that Bridges entered a plea of no contest to a felony domestic violence charge on Nov. 3. The remaining counts against him were dismissed.
Bridges was one of the top players in the free-agent market in the offseason. He spent the first four years of his career with the Hornets.
Hornets statement on Miles Bridges
The team issued a statement on June 30 that said: "The Charlotte Hornets are aware of the situation involving Miles Bridges. We are in the process of gathering additional information. We will have no further comment at this time."
The Hornets then issued the following statement on July 19:
Mychelle Johnson, partner of Miles Bridges, shares photos on Instagram after alleged attack
A couple of days after Bridges was arrested, his partner, Mychelle Johnson, released the following statement on Instagram:
I hate that it has come to this but I can't be silent anymore. I've allowed someone to destroy my home, abuse me in every way possible and traumatize our kids for life. I have nothing to prove to the world, but I won't allow anyone who could do something so horrible to have no remorse and paint a picture of something I'm not. I won't allow the people around him to continue to silence me and continue to lie to protect this person. It's unethical, it's immoral, it's truly SICK. It hurts my heart because I've always had hope, and so much love and as scary as this is for me to do it's time I stand up for myself. I won't be silent to protect others anymore because I value myself and my kids more than anyones 'image'.… a fracture nose, wrist, torn eardrum, torn muscles in my neck from being choked until i went to sleep and a severe concussion. I don't need sympathy, I just don't want this happening to anyone else, I just want this person to get help, my kids deserve better. That's all i want. It hurts, everything hurts, this situation hurts, most importantly I'm scared and hurting for my kids who were witness to everything. Please respect my families privacy and stop with the disgusting rumors and allegations.
Johnson also shared images of injuries she had sustained and a medical report that said she was an "adult victim of physical abuse by male partner."
The Sporting News will continue to monitor this story and provide updates as they become available.