Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges has entered the NBA's COVID-19 health and safety protocol and is expected to miss multiple games, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday morning.
The Hornets visit the Pistons in Detroit Tuesday night, then host the Bulls on Thursday. Based on The Athletic's Shams Charania additionally reporting that Bridges' absence is expected to run 10-to-14 days, that would take him out of the Bulls and Hornets' third and final matchup of the season.
Bridges was quiet in the teams' first meeting on Jan. 22, but posted 13 points, five rebounds and three assists in 27 minutes at the United Center on April 22, a contest the Bulls won 108-91. The high-flying forward has been an impact contributor all season, but especially so since Gordon Hayward went down with a foot sprain, averaging 36.1 minutes, 19.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, three assists and shooting 44.8 percent from 3-point range in his last 16 games.
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He's also a ferocious, mean-spirited, downright despicable dunker of basketballs:
The Bulls' play-in chances have faded into the slim-to-none category. As of Tuesday, they trail the 10th-place Wizards by four games with seven to play.
But if they want any hope of a miracle, every game is a must-win down the stretch. With Zach LaVine potentially back from a protocol stint of his own on Thursday, they'll hope a season series sweep of Charlotte is in order.
