Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) looks to pass as Miami Heat forwards Jamal Cain (8) and Kevin Love (42) defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges has been denied entrance to Canada due to his past legal problems and will not be available to play Monday night in Toronto against the Raptors.
A team official confirmed that Bridges would be listed as not with the team for personal reasons on the official scoresheet.
Bridges is currently serving three years of probation after pleading no contest in exchange for no jail time in the June 2022 domestic violence case involving the mother of his two children, who accused Bridges of assaulting her in front of them. He must adhere to a 10-year criminal protection order for the woman, weekly narcotics and marijuana testing, and restitution, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.
Bridges most recently turned himself in on Oct. 13 after an arrest warrant was issued for an alleged protection order violation.
The warrant had originally been issued on Jan. 2, but had not previously been served until October, just before the NBA season. Per court documents, Bridges “unlawfully” and “knowingly” violated the protection order.
That case is still pending.
Canada Border Services Agency spokesperson Rebecca Purdy said they do not provide details on specific individual cases, but anybody seeking entry into the country must “demonstrate they meet the requirements to enter.”
“Admissibility is decided case-by-case and based on the information made available at the time of entry,” Purdy said 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 10 games of the season after sitting out all of last season. He is averaging 19.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game since his return from suspension in 12 starts.
Bridges’ absence means the Hornets could be without four of their five starters as they look to snap a four-game losing streak.
Guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) and center Mark Williams (back) have already been ruled out, and Gordon Hayward is questionable with a stomach virus. The team’s other starter, guard Terry Rozier, is probable with a thumb injury.
In addition, top reserve P.J. Washington (shoulder) is questionable and guard Cody Martin (knee) is out.
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AP Sports Writer Ryan Kryska contributed to this report.
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