The NBA’s worst bully is back on the court. The basketball skills are still there.

The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Boston Celtics 121-118 in overtime in the 2023-2024 NBA regular season at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, on March 21. The win snapped a four-game losing streak and turned the tide for Charlotte.

It was a dramatic come-from-behind win against Boston, which is considered one of the best teams in the NBA. 스포츠토토 Charlotte trailed Boston for most of the game. But in the fourth quarter, Charlotte showed incredible focus and pulled away from the Celtics, sending the game into overtime after Jerry Holloway missed two free throws and Jayson Tatum’s last shot was off the mark.

In overtime, LaMelo Ball scored back-to-back baskets to take the lead, and Miles Bridges hit a three-pointer with seven seconds left to tie the game at 116-116. Tatum then got three free throws, but only made two, and Charlotte, unlike Boston, calmly made two free throws to seal the win.

Ball was the star of the game. Ball nearly recorded a triple-double with 36 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, including a dominant performance in overtime to seal the win.

There was also a supporting cast. Bridges, who recently returned to action after missing the entire 2022-2023 season due to domestic violence. Bridges had 14 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists on the night. He finished with a double-double and hit a three-pointer when it mattered most to give his team the lead. If not for Bridges’ three-pointer in overtime, the game would have likely gone in Boston’s favor.

Bridges’ strength is defense, not offense. Bridges, who has made a name for himself as a top-notch defender since his college days, focused his efforts on defense against Boston. While he struggled to contain Tatum, he was successful in controlling Jaylen Brown. Bridges also played the most minutes of any player on either team at 45, but he was active throughout the game with a high energy level.

Bridges was initially projected as the core of Charlotte’s future alongside Ball. However, he was suspended ahead of the 2022-2023 season after allegations of domestic violence against his wife and child surfaced. Ironically, Bridges was a free agent. If the domestic violence incident hadn’t happened, he would have been a free agent. Instead, Bridges signed a one-year, $7.9 million short-term deal with Charlotte ahead of this season to rebound.

Since returning to the court for the 2023-2024 season, Bridges is currently averaging 16.7 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and 1.3 steals in three games. While he hasn’t fully adjusted to the court yet and hasn’t replicated his 2021-2022 season where he averaged over 20 points, he’s still very competitive. His versatility on offense, his activity on defense, and his ability to pass the ball with consistency have all been on full display.

With Bridges in the mix, Charlotte’s play has improved. Charlotte has a deep frontcourt with PJ Washington, 2023 NBA Draft No. 2 overall pick Brandon Miller, and veteran Gordon Hayward. But Bridges has been better than all three. That’s why the Charlotte front office couldn’t give up on Bridges, even in the face of a domestic violence case.

The NBA’s biggest badass made a triumphant return to the court. Bridges’ performance since his return has shown why the team hasn’t given up on him despite his unsavory past. After signing a short-term deal, Bridges will be a free agent after the season. Will any team be willing to take a chance on him?