Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) passes against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first half at Spectrum Center.  Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports

Hornets' Miles Bridges out for rest of regular season due to health and safety protocols?

It appears the Charlotte Hornets will have to secure a berth in the play-in tournament without the services of forward Miles Bridges. 

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday afternoon that Bridges will miss multiple games due to the NBA's health and safety protocols. Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium added that Bridges is expected to be sidelined 10-14 days, and such a timeline would likely keep the 23-year-old out through Charlotte's final regular-season contest, a showdown with the Washington Wizards on May 16. 

Bridges' status beyond May 16 is up in the air as of Tuesday afternoon. 

Bridges has averaged 12.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 50.6% from the field and 40.5% from three-point range. As Wojnarowski noted, Charlotte recently received good news when rookie LaMelo Ball and guard Malik Monk returned from injury-related absences. 

The Hornets, meanwhile, have lost three of their last four matchups and sit in eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings at 31–33 overall. Charlotte hosts the woeful Detroit Pistons, responsible for the conference's worst record (19-46), on Tuesday evening. 

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