Charlotte Hornets' Miles Bridges denied entry to Canada over legal situation, per report
Ahead of their game Monday night against the Toronto Raptors, the Charlotte Hornets are trying to get forward Miles Bridges access into Canada after he was reportedly denied entry over his legal situation.
According to the Charlotte Observer, Bridges was denied access when trying to cross the border into Canada and the team is trying to resolve the matter before the teams tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Bridges, 25, is currently serving three years of probation after he pleaded no contest from his role in an alleged felony domestic violence incident from June 2022 in which the mother of his two children accused Bridges of assaulting her in front of the children. On Oct. 12, a criminal summons was issued in Mecklenburg County that accused him of violating a protection order.
He also has a court date set for Feb. 20, 2024.
According to Canadian immigration law, people may be deemed "inadmissible" based on their being arrested or accused of a felony crime, even if there hasn't been a conviction.
One potential workaround the Hornets may seek to use is a temporary resident permit. According to the Canadian government, eligibility for a temporary resident permit is determined by an immigration or border services officer, and the person applying must show that their "need to enter or stay in Canada must outweigh the health or safety risks to Canadian society."
Bridges began the NBA season serving a 10-day suspension. Over the summer, the NBA had originally imposed a 30-game suspension, but Bridges was given credit for 20 games time served after he sat out the entire 2022-23 season.
In 14 games this year, Bridges is averaging 19.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
Contributing: Associated Press