Miles Bridges continues to appear as the case of the Most Improved Player grows

Hornet is on the rise in the Eastern Conference, with Sunday’s win over the Atlanta Hawks being the perfect example.

With several key players off the squad, Charlotte secured a big win after the latest big game from Miles Bridges.

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Ball, Terry Rozier, Mason Plumlee, and Jalen McDaniels were all within health and safety protocols, pitting Hornet against Trae Young and the Hawks.

Thankfully for James Borrego’s squad, Bridges is in the midst of an explosive season.

Moving in 32 points with 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 1 save, Bridges has shown he can pull off offensive behavior at times this season, emerging as a superstar. possible second star for Rugby Ball.

“He’s grown a lot,” Borrego said after the game. “He’s done three, got to the belt. He’s made big hits for us all year,” Borrego said.

“I know Terry (Rozier) has been known for that on our team but when you look at this season, Miles has taken as many big shots as anyone this season. Miles has been fantastic, play with poise and confidence.”

The 30-point performance was his sixth of the season, which is even more remarkable when you think he’s only had three such games in the first three seasons of his career.

Charlotte needed every single one of the 32 points in the 130-127 win, with the 23-year-old again stamping her credentials in the Most Improved Player’s First chat.

Take the next step

Like so many post-season accolades, scoring may of course have precedent, but Bridges’ wide-ranging cramming of stats has made him a rare company.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns and Bridges are only players in the tournament averaging 20 or more points, 7+ bounces, 1+ steals and 1+ intercepts per game.

The arrival of the Bridge is the key to taking Charlotte’s offense to the next level. Ranked fourth in the league for offensive efficiency, the Hornets have five players averaging at least 15 points per night, with Ball, Gordon Hayward, and Kelly Oubre Jr joining the Bridges as Charlotte’s most frequent.

Of course, beyond the production boost, the nightly highlights continue, with arguably the game’s most dramatic outburst exploding with ridiculous regularity.

The only looming concern for the Hornets, is the contract status of their rising star.

In the last season of a four-year contract, worth $16.3 millionBridge is in a big payday. Eligible for an extension last season, but couldn’t reach a deal, with ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reporting on Podcasts of The Hoop Collective at the time the offer had a term of 4 years, $60 million was rejected.

That offer might have been considered low-key at the time, but there’s no question that Hornet is now facing a significantly larger sum if it wants to retain Bridges’ services. With some talented young players on the roster, it’s mistakes that could come back to haunt a series of films in the years to come.

But the contract could be pushed aside at least for now, with the Hornets holding the record 14-11 sitting well and indeed in the post-season mix.

If you somehow missed jumping over the Hornets League Pass runway, it’s not too late. Do yourself a favor and tune in to a Charlotte game, they’re at the box office and Bridges is a big reason why.