The Charlotte Hornets have confirmed that Miles Bridges, their second-leading scorer, will be sidelined for at least two weeks due to a bone bruise in his right knee. The injury, which occurred during the Hornets' recent 108-107 win over the Detroit Pistons, is a significant blow to Charlotte's lineup as they look to bounce back from a mixed start to the season.
Injury Details: A result of an awkward landing
The injury took place during Wednesday's game when Bridges attempted to block a shot from Pistons guard Jaden Ivey. In the process, Bridges hyperextended his right knee and twisted it awkwardly upon landing. The 26-year-old forward, who had been performing well with a season-high 27 points in the game, was visibly in discomfort but remained positive afterwards.
“I just came down wrong a little bit," Bridges said after the game. "I’ll be good. I’ll be good.” However, an MRI exam on Thursday confirmed that Bridges had sustained a bone bruise, ruling him out for the Hornets' upcoming matches in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Hornets' injury woes mount
Bridges' absence adds to the growing list of injuries affecting Charlotte's frontline. He joins centres Mark Williams, who is dealing with a foot strain, and Nick Richards, who is sidelined with a fractured rib. These injuries have contributed to the Hornets' challenging 3-5 start to the season, leaving the team third in the Southeast Division, just half a game behind both the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat.
Before the injury, Bridges had been struggling to match his career-best performance from last season, where he averaged 21 points per game. This season, he was averaging 14.6 points per game, nearly seven points fewer than his previous high.
What’s next for the Hornets?
With Bridges out for at least the next two weeks, the Hornets will have to rely on their remaining players to step up. His absence will likely have a significant impact on the team’s offensive production and overall depth. Charlotte will re-evaluate Bridges in two weeks, but for now, the focus will be on navigating the next stretch of games without one of their key contributors.
As the team battles through injuries, the Hornets will look to maintain momentum and stay competitive in a tightly contested Southeast Division.
