Suspended player to be awarded championship ring

Thomas Bryant, the sidelined center for the Miami Heat, was greeted with a collective embrace from his former Denver teammates. He was then handed a gleaming championship ring before promptly departing from the arena.

The NBA made a special allowance for Bryant to attend the game since it was the Heat's only visit to Denver this season. Typically, suspended players are not permitted to be present at the arena during game nights.

The Nuggets warmly welcomed Bryant, a former member of the team during their championship victory over the Heat last June. Bryant watched a tribute video alongside Aaron Gordon, then received his championship ring from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope before being embraced by Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets at half-court.

Grateful, Bryant slipped on the ring and acknowledged the crowd's cheers with a tap to his heart.


Immediately following the ring ceremony, Bryant left the arena. He was concluding a three-game suspension due to his involvement in an altercation against New Orleans the previous week.

Source : NBA