In a surprising turn of events, Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges has been denied entry to Canada ahead of the team's game against the Toronto Raptors on Monday night. The decision was confirmed by local Charlotte radio host Kyle Bailey, raising concerns about Bridges' availability for the highly-anticipated matchup.

Reports indicate that the Hornets organization is currently working to reverse the decision, but it is unlikely to be resolved before tip-off. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, leaving very little time for any potential resolution, according to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.

Speculations regarding Bridges' eligibility arose on Sunday when the player sent out a tweet that read, "Got denied in the 6," referring to Toronto. However, he swiftly deleted the tweet, leaving fans and officials wondering about the situation.

The exact reason for the Canadian government's denial of Bridges' entry remains unclear. However, it is believed that the decision may be related to the player's previous legal issues. In June 2022, Bridges faced multiple felony charges of domestic violence but later pleaded no contest to the felony charge of injuring a child's parent, with the remaining charges being dropped.

The legal agreement reached saw Bridges avoid jail time, but he was given a three-year probation sentence. Additionally, he was mandated to complete 52 weeks of domestic violence counseling, 52 weeks of parenting classes, and 100 hours of community service. Regular narcotics testing, along with a ban on firearm ownership and no contact with the victim, were also included in the terms.

Earlier this year, Bridges served a 30-game suspension imposed by the NBA. This came after he remained unsigned during the 2022-23 season as a free agent. As part of a one-year deal with the Hornets, Bridges served 20 of those games and served the remaining 10 games as the current season commenced.

Prior to the start of the season, Bridges faced additional allegations, including multiple violations of a protective order. On October 13, he turned himself in and was released on bond in relation to a previously unserved warrant from January. Additionally, he faced charges of child abuse and injury to personal property for allegedly threatening his former girlfriend and throwing pool balls at her car while their children were present. A court appearance was initially scheduled for November 13 but was rescheduled for February 20.

Amidst these legal troubles, NBA commissioner Adam Silver expressed the league's comfort with Bridges continuing to play. In a statement during an appearance on Toronto's SportsNet 590 The Fan, he reassured the public about the league's stance.

Despite these challenges, Bridges has showcased his skills on the court this season, appearing in 14 games for the Hornets. He has been impressive with an average of 19.6 points and 7.2 rebounds.

As fans eagerly await developments on Bridges' status, the Hornets face uncertainty and may need to make adjustments to their lineup for the upcoming game against the Toronto Raptors.