Bridges Takes Accountability After Celtics Loss

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges reflects on his defensive struggles against Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 2:53am

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The Charlotte Hornets fell to the Boston Celtics 115-100 on Sunday, with Celtics star Jayson Tatum scoring a season-high 32 points. Following the game, Hornets forward Miles Bridges took responsibility for his inability to slow down Tatum, acknowledging that he should have been more physical with the All-Star from the start of the game.

Why it matters

The loss was a setback for the Hornets, who are battling with the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. Bridges' self-critique highlights his commitment to improving his defense and helping the team get back on track.

The details

The Hornets struggled from the three-point line, shooting just 28% as a team. LaMelo Ball had an off night, going 3-for-12 from deep despite scoring a team-high 19 points. Meanwhile, Tatum dominated the game, recording a season-high 32 points to go with 8 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1 block without any turnovers.

  • The Hornets hosted the Celtics on Sunday, March 30, 2026.
  • The Hornets had fallen to the Philadelphia 76ers the previous night, Saturday, March 29, 2026.

The players

Miles Bridges

A forward for the Charlotte Hornets who was the primary defender on Jayson Tatum during the game.

Jayson Tatum

The star forward for the Boston Celtics who scored a season-high 32 points against the Hornets.

LaMelo Ball

The Hornets' starting point guard who struggled from three-point range, going 3-for-12.

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What they’re saying

“(He's) one of the premier players in the league and I put that on me. I should've been physical with [Jayson Tatum] from the jump. I let him get into a rhythm to start the game and it went from there.”

— Miles Bridges, Hornets Forward

What’s next

The Hornets will look to bounce back on Tuesday when they travel to Brooklyn to face the Nets. The Celtics will play the second game of their back-to-back on Monday, visiting the Atlanta Hawks.

The takeaway

Bridges' accountability and self-critique after the loss to the Celtics demonstrates his leadership and commitment to improving the Hornets' defense. As the team battles for playoff positioning, Bridges' willingness to take responsibility will be crucial in helping the Hornets regroup and get back on track.