Miles Bridges has excelled in his role as the reserve power forward this season for the Charlotte Hornets
When Gordon Hayward went down on Friday night against the Indiana Pacers, Miles Bridges stepped up big time. Bridges started the second half and led the team to victory. Bridges finished the game with 23 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 66.7% from the field and 57.1% from three.
Bridges will start in place of Hayward at small forward while Hayward is out.
Bridges isn’t normally a player that the Hornets count on for scoring. The Hornets don’t run plays for him; he’s not a part of the offensive gameplan for Charlotte. Bridges scores his points by finishing at the rim, in transition, or hitting open jump shots when the opponent’s defense leaves him to help Ball, Hayward, Monk, Devonte’ Graham, Terry Rozier, or PJ Washington. Bridges is shooting the best percentages of his three-year career (49.9% FG, 37.8% 3PT).
Bridges has been playing better defensively this season, although in taking Hayward’s place in the lineup, he’ll defend the wing positions more.
Bridges will have to stay consistent on the defensive end and create offense for himself for the Hornets to stay in the playoff race while Hayward is out.