The NBA on Thursday fined Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges $50,000 for throwing his mouthpiece into the crowd after he was killed in Wednesday night’s play-in game loss to the Hawks in Atlanta had been ejected.
After picking up two technical fouls for arguing a call, an agitated Bridges left the floor for the dressing room and was harassed in the tunnel by a male fan. him then raised his mouthpiece in that direction and hit a young girl.
Bridges apologized for the incident after the game and again Thursday after his exit interview in Charlotte.
“I lost my calm last night because of so much happening,” Bridges said. “I don’t normally behave like this and it was an embarrassment for me and for the organization.”
Bridges said he was ready to take “full responsibility” for any punishment the league handed down.
“I deserve it,” Bridges said. “You should never go out like that, especially since the fans come to the game to watch you play. That their safety is in jeopardy at this point is wrong on my part. I take full responsibility.”
Bridges said he reached out to the female fan on Instagram to apologize but received no response. The Hornets’ public relations department said they were trying to put Bridges in touch with the fan.