Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford said Sunday that the team's plan regarding Miles Bridges is for him to “have a significant role right away” once his suspension for domestic violence is over. The Hornets want Bridges back on the floor with LaMelo Ball as soon as possible in the wake of a slow start to the season. Bridges is currently serving a 10-game suspension from the NBA and is eligible to return on Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks.

In June 2022, Bridges assaulted his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his two children. He was later arrested and charged with felony domestic violence, among other charges which were ultimately dismissed. Bridges received three years of probation and a protective restraining order. He did not play at all during the 2022-23 season, and the NBA issued the suspension in April. Bridges signed a qualifying offer with the Hornets in July and was set to return to the floor once his suspension was up.

Then, in October, Bridges violated the protective restraining order, threatening the same woman and smashing her car's windows with billiards balls while she and her two children were inside. That doesn't appear likely to affect his future availability, however, and legal proceedings are pending.

Hornets rookie Brandon Miller left Sunday's game with an apparent injury, but Charlotte plans on building around Miller, Ball and perhaps Bridges. Bridges was certainly part of the long-term plans before this domestic violence saga began. Considering the team wants to get him involved immediately, it doesn't seem to have any hesitation about keeping him around for the future.