Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges cleared to return from COVID-19 protocols

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges has been cleared from the NBA's health and safety protocols and will be available to play against the New York Knicks on Saturday, the team announced.

He missed six games while in the COVID-19 protocols, with the Hornets going 2-4 in his absence while trying to hold on to the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference with just two games to go before the league's play-in tournament next week.

The third-year player was averaging 21.6 points over six games prior to entering the protocol on May 4. For the season, he's averaging 12.4 points and career highs of 6.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. Bridges has also become a highlight fixture around the NBA this season with several poster-worthy dunks.

The Hornets are tied with the Indiana Pacers and are a half-game ahead of the Washington Wizards, who they play in the regular-season finale on Sunday.