(Reuters) – The National Basketball Association (NBA) has suspended former Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges 30 games without pay as a result of a domestic violence incident involving the mother of his children, the league said on Friday.
The incident occurred last June in Los Angeles, after which Bridges was arrested and charged with multiple offenses. Bridges entered a plea of no contest to a felony domestic violence charge and the remaining counts against him were dismissed.
Following his arrest and plea, Bridges did not sign an NBA contract for the ongoing 2022-23 season, missing all 82 games.
In recognition of that outcome, the NBA has deemed 20 games of the suspension to have been already served and if Bridges signs another contract, he will be required to miss the first 10 games for which he is otherwise eligible and able to play.
The NBA conducted its own investigation, interviewing Bridges, the mother of his children, numerous third-party witnesses and also consulted with domestic violence experts.
The NBA also said the length of the suspension took in all facts and circumstances, including the outcome of the criminal matter.
Bridges was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 12th pick of the 2018 NBA Draft but was traded that day to the Hornets where he signed a four-year contract. He averaged 13.4 points per game, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in four seasons.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
