Rumors

On Saturday night, however, Bryant was an unlikely hero, totaling a playoff career-high 11 points, three rebounds and one block in 13 high-energy minutes to help the Pacers return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000. “It’s a lot of emotions, man, just going through the past year of just the ups and downs of the NBA,” Bryant said, choking up again. “Playing, not playing, being totally out of the lineup, getting spare minutes here and there. And then, getting traded and not really knowing what the future might hold, but you just know you wanted to come contribute to a team and try to help them win in any way possible.”

New York Times

The 27-year-old began the Eastern Conference finals as the backup center, but poor showings in Games 1 and 2 led to him being benched in Games 3 and 4 in favor of Tony Bradley, who initially joined the Pacers on a 10-day contract in March. It wasn’t until Bradley strained his hip in Game 5 that Bryant regained his spot in the rotation and gave the Pacers a jolt in Game 6. Siakam called Bryant’s resurgent performance a reward from “the basketball Gods.” Carlisle credited Bryant’s “indomitable spirit.” Turner simply thanked his teammate for his professionalism. “Man, I’ve been playing against Thomas since high school,” Turner said. “He’s always had that enthusiasm, that energy and that skill. … And he didn’t complain. He didn’t pout. If you watch any film, bro, he’s the first one up on the bench (cheering), first one gassing us up, talking to us and getting us right. Me going down in foul trouble, he got his opportunity (Saturday) and he didn’t look back.”

New York Times

With 4:45 to go, Brunson stumbled trying to fight through a Thomas Bryant screen at the top of the key, leaving Aaron Nesmith open for a 3-pointer at the top of the key. Nobody thought much of it at the time. But afterward, Brunson said he felt that's when the game started to turn. "Once he hits one, you've got to be on high alert," Brunson said. "I've got to do a better job of finding him. I think he had like one or two with me in the vicinity."

ESPN

Andy Larsen: The 2031 second-rounder swap was acquired by Miami in the trade that sent Thomas Bryant to the Pacers in December.

x.com

Last year seemed to mark a crucial pivot point, as Miami brought in Thomas Bryant and Josh Richardson to bolster its roster, which left Butler feeling he had to “do the impossible again,” the source said.

New York Times

Tony East: "He was great," Rick Carlisle says of Thomas Bryant tonight. "Played efficient, played smart. He seemed to be in the right places at the right time."

bsky.app

Dustin Dopirak: Thomas Bryant on Tyrese Haliburton: "He makes the game so much easier for everybody. ... He creates so much stuff and for us. He's so unselfish that that he makes the game easier for anybody."

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Tony East: Pacers dribble it out. They beat the Bulls 129-113 to improve to 20-18. 2 games over .500, winners of 4-straight games. Awesome first half. They scored 76 points in the paint, tying a season high. 26 for Pascal Siakam. 16 points and 13 assists for Tyrese Haliburton. Thomas Bryant starts, scores 20.

bsky.app

Dustin Dopirak: Carlisle says Tyrese Haliburton will play but Myles Turner is out with a non-COVID illness. Said Thomas Bryant will start at center and they'll go from there. Said they held Enrique Freeman out of the G League game today so he'd be available.

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Dustin Dopirak: Rick Carlisle said he's really pleased to have Thomas Bryant on board. Said he got to work with him a little bit in a pre-game walkthrough and really likes his enthusiasm. Said what he really likes about the deal is Bryant is "very excited to be here."

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Ira Winderman: Erik Spoelstra said the Heat worked with Thomas Bryant and his agent to get him to a place where there might be more playing time, with Bryant’s trade to Indiana made official today. The Heat now must fill Bryant’s roster spot within 14 days.

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The Heat agreed on Friday to trade veteran center Thomas Bryant to the Indiana Pacers, a league source confirmed to the Miami Herald. In exchange, the Pacers agreed to swap 2031 second-round picks with the Heat — with Miami getting the more favorable selection in the swap.

Miami Herald

Shams Charania: The Miami Heat have agreed on a trade to send center Thomas Bryant to the Indiana Pacers, sources tell ESPN. The Pacers will send a swap of a future second-round pick to the Heat for Bryant, who is trade-eligible on Sunday.

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Ian Begley: With regard the MIA-IND trade reported by ESPN that includes Thomas Bryant, IND big man James Wiseman had been included in discussions of this potential deal, per league sources.

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