The NBA suspended Charlotte Hornet’s restricted free agent Miles Bridges for a total of 10 games in the 2023-24 season — if he signs with a team by then — with no pay for his role in a 2022 domestic violence incident against the mother of his two children .
The NBA announced the suspension Friday, noting that it was a 30-game penalty but the league believed Bridges, who had not signed a contract for the 2022-23 season, had already served 20 games .
Bridges, 25, pleaded no contest to a domestic violence charge for causing injury to a parent on November 3 and was sentenced to three years probation but no jail time as part of a deal with prosecutors. The no-contest plea meant Bridges accepted the conviction and punishment without officially admitting guilt.
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Bridges was accused of assaulting his then-girlfriend in front of their two children in May. He was arrested by Los Angeles police on June 29 and released on $130,000 bail. In July, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon’s office filed three felony counts against Bridges, who initially pleaded not guilty to all three. As part of the plea agreement in November, two of the charges were dropped.
The charges dismissed were charges of child molestation in circumstances or conditions likely to result in serious bodily harm or death. The July press release from prosecutors said the children were present at the alleged attack, but did not specify where the child molestation charges came from.
As part of his probation, Bridges must complete 52 weeks of domestic violence counseling and 52 weeks of parenting classes, complete 100 hours of community service, and undergo weekly marijuana narcotics testing, which is only permitted with a valid doctor’s prescription. He may not own any weapons or ammunition. He also faces a $300 fine and a $500 domestic violence fine and must comply with the terms of a 10-year protection order, stay 100 yards from and no contact with the woman. She and Bridges retain custody of their two children and any visit or exchange of children must be peaceful and through a neutral third party.
In its statement, the NBA said it conducted its own investigation, including “reviewing all available materials and interviewing numerous third-party witnesses as well as the parties involved.” The league also said it consulted with domestic violence experts.
Although Bridges remains unsigned, under the collective bargaining agreement, the NBA had the right to suspend, fine, fire, or disqualify him from any additional association in the league if he signs with a team. He last played in the 2021/22 season.
Bridges will be fined 1/110 of his new contract for each of the 10 games suspended in 2023-24.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks contributed to this report.
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