Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets was denied entry to Canada for an NBA game owing to legal issues.
Bridges was reportedly turned away at the border. They talked on the condition of anonymity because they were not permitted to speak publicly about the situation. When asked about Bridges’ absence before Monday’s game, Hornets coach Steve Clifford refused to comment.
“The only thing I’m going to say is neither Miles nor (rookie center Nathan Mensah from Ghana) will be here with us tonight,” Clifford went on to remark. “That’s all I’m going to say.”
Bridges is now on probation for three years after pleading no contest in exchange for no jail time in a June 2022 domestic violence case involving the mother of his two children, who accused Bridges of hitting her in front of them. According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, he must comply with a 10-year criminal protection order for the victim, as well as weekly drugs and marijuana tests and restitution.
Bridges most recently surrendered on Oct. 13 after an arrest warrant was filed for an alleged breach of a protective order. The warrant was obtained on Jan. 2, but it was not served until October, shortly before the NBA season began. According to court filings, Bridges “unlawfully” and “knowingly” breached the protection order.
That case is still open. According to Canada Border Services Agency spokesperson Rebecca Purdy, they do not share data on particular individual cases, but everyone requesting entrance into the nation must “demonstrate they meet the requirements to enter.”
“Admission is decided case by case and based on the information made available at the time of entry,” Purdy wrote in an email to the AP. “Several factors are used in determining if an individual is admissible to Canada, including involvement in criminal activity, human rights violations, organized crime, security, health or financial reasons.”
Bridges was suspended by the NBA for the first ten games of the season after sitting out the entire previous season. In 12 starts since his return from suspension, he has averaged 19.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
Bridges’ absence means the Hornets will be extremely shorthanded for the second straight game as they attempt to end a four-game losing streak.”It’s all hands on deck,” Clifford added.
On Saturday, the Hornets were missing three starters in LaMelo Ball (right ankle), Gordon Hayward (illness), and Mark Williams (back), as well as two vital reserves in P.J. Washington (left shoulder) and Cody Martin (left knee). The Hornets lost guard Terry Rozier in the third quarter after catching an elbow to the nose.
Without those guys, the Hornets lost 135-82, their worst loss in franchise history. Charlotte’s sole win in the previous seven games came on Dec. 8 at home against Toronto. The Hornets announced that Rozier and Washington would return against the Raptors on Monday. Clifford stated that he gave a positive message with his team during Monday morning’s shootaround. “We are obviously super (undermanned) here,” he stated, “and we can win tonight.”