Miles Bridges Is Quietly Powering Through a Career-Resurgence Season in Charlotte
It’s a little jarring to call Miles Bridges an NBA veteran - mostly because it feels like he just got here. But in his seventh season, Bridges has become one of the elder statesmen on a young Hornets roster, and he’s turning in what might be the most complete basketball of his career.
After missing the entire 2022-23 season due to off-court issues, Bridges has returned to the floor with a clear sense of purpose. While questions about his personal growth off the court remain outside the scope of the box score, what’s happening on the hardwood in Charlotte is undeniable: Bridges is producing at a high level, and he’s doing it consistently.
A Steady Hand in a Shaky Season
The Hornets are still searching for traction in the Eastern Conference, sitting at 11-20. But Bridges is giving them something to lean on.
He’s currently leading the team in scoring at 20.3 points per game - just ahead of LaMelo Ball and rookie standout Kon Knueppel - and he’s logging his heaviest minutes load in years. That’s no small thing for a player who hadn’t played an NBA game in over a year before this season tipped off.
Bridges has never been able to lift Charlotte into playoff contention during his time there - the Hornets haven’t made the postseason since the 2015-16 season, back when Bridges was still in high school. And while it’s a long shot for this year’s squad to break that drought, his play is at least keeping the door cracked open.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Let’s get into the meat of it. Bridges isn’t just scoring - he’s impacting the game across the board. Here's where his numbers currently rank compared to his previous six seasons:
- Points per game: 20.3 (3rd-best of his career)
- Rebounds: 6.3 (4th)
- Assists: 3.9 (career-high)
- Field goal percentage: 43.0% (6th)
- Free throw percentage: 84.2% (3rd)
- Turnovers: 1.5 (2nd-lowest)
He’s not blowing the roof off statistically, but he’s flirting with career highs in nearly every major category. The efficiency from the field and beyond the arc isn’t quite where it’s been in past seasons, but Bridges is compensating with improved playmaking and better decision-making with the ball in his hands.
That assist number stands out - nearly four per game - a sign that he’s not just looking to get his own, but also working within the offense to create for others. That’s the kind of growth you want to see from a player entering his prime years.
Still Flying Under the Radar
Bridges isn’t likely to hear his name called on All-Star weekend, but make no mistake: he’s playing like a top-tier contributor. This is now the fourth straight season he’s averaging over 20 points per game, and he’s doing it while operating as one of Charlotte’s most reliable offensive weapons.
He might not be the flashiest name in the league, but he’s proving once again that he can be a go-to guy on a nightly basis. For a Hornets team trying to build something sustainable, that kind of presence matters - especially from a player who’s been through the ups and downs and come out the other side still producing.
A Veteran Presence, Whether It Feels Like It or Not
Seven years in, Miles Bridges has become one of the longest-tenured players in Charlotte - and he’s playing like it. He’s not just filling a stat sheet; he’s setting the tone for a team that’s still trying to find its identity.
No, the Hornets aren’t where they want to be in the standings. But Bridges is giving them a reason to believe they can get there - maybe not this season, but soon. And if he keeps playing like this, he’ll be a big reason why.