- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,150,479
- Reaction score
- 59
CLEVELAND — The Indiana Pacers are tanking amid a lost season foreshadowed by Tyrese Haliburton's torn Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, and the Cavaliers seem to be content with coasting to a fourth-place finish in the Eastern Conference this year.
But unlike some Cleveland fans, Thomas Bryant was not tempted to yawn through the Cavs' 117-108 win over the Pacers after Easter dinner on Sunday, April 5. Bryant was starting against his former team, so he was ready to rumble.
With 3:12 left in the fourth quarter, Bryant dunked on Pacers forward Micah Potter to give the playoff-bound Cavs (49-29) a 115-102 lead and an exclamation point on their season sweep of the Pacers (18-60). As Bryant celebrated, Cavs forward Larry Nance Jr. hugged him from behind and threw a towel.
"It felt good to be able to do that, get that poster dunk, and also get the double-double along with it, man," Bryant said. "It just brought a lot of joy to my heart."
In Bryant's first start with the Cavs, he produced 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field (2 of 4 on 3-pointers) and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds. He added two assists and a blocked shot in 26 minutes.
With 2:49 left, Bryant grabbed his 10th rebound to complete the double-double. He immediately pointed toward the ceiling at Rocket Arena to acknowledge the moment.
"It was just the importance of just always staying ready and just having a lot of obstacles come across throughout the summer and throughout the year," Bryant said. "And then to be able to contribute like that in my first start with this team and my guys believing in me, to be out there and do that, it just was a lot of emotion that came with it.”
Cavs news: Cleveland Cavaliers clinch berth in NBA playoffs with win at Golden State Warriors
Bryant started because the Cavs ruled out their frontline big men, center Jarrett Allen (right knee injury management) and forward Evan Mobley (left calf injury management).
With four regular-season games left, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said he doesn't expect anyone on the roster to be shut down until the playoffs. However, Allen is a player to monitor because he has been enduring a prolonged bout with knee tendonitis this season.
If Allen were to miss any portion of the NBA playoffs, which begin April 18, it would be a blow to the Cavs. They would first turn to Mobley to play center, as long as he's healthy, but the ripple effect would also likely create an opportunity for Bryant.
Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson called Bryant "a pleasant, pleasant surprise" this season.
“Rim protection — I think he's top four in the league," Atkinson said. "He was a good rim protector in Indiana, so this isn't like we [didn’t know he could do it]. But it's so important at the center position, obviously.
"Then he gives us that stretch five, so I think that's a joker we could play during the playoffs, right? [If we are] struggling, whatever, boom — throw him at a five. Get everybody out of the paint, and that could be something we go to eventually. So, it's nice to have that in our pocket.”
In September, Bryant signed a one-year contract with the Cavs worth $3.3 million, according to spotrac.com.
Listed as 6 feet, 10 inches and 260 pounds, Bryant is averaging 6.2 points on 50.6% shooting from the field (35.9% on 3-pointers), 3.4 rebounds and 12.2 minutes this season.
"He's a professional," said Cavs point guard James Harden, who tallied 28 points and seven assists against the Pacers. "He's always prepared. He's doing extra conditioning when he's not playing for moments like this. And it showed."
Bryant, 28, has embraced his role with the Cavs. It boils down to getting stops at the rim and making open shots. He also said he strives to provide "infectious energy." The Pacers felt it.
“I'm always gonna be fired up for a game no matter who we're playing, but it was a former team that let you go," Bryant said. "You have a little certain more fire for that.”
Cavs history: Cleveland Cavaliers cherish 'Miracle of Richfield' as 50th anniversary arrives
All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell said he played against Bryant when they were kids competing in AAU. Now Mitchell appreciates what Bryant does for the Cavs.
"We've seen the energy he brings," said Mitchell, who had a game-high 38 points to go along with six rebounds and six assists. "That's why you get a guy like that. He's always like that. He's the music guy. He's at the card table. He's always energetic pregame. He's yelling and screaming and gets us going every night."
Mitchell said he's fine after turning an ankle in the fourth quarter.
Atkinson said small forward Max Strus underwent X-rays after hurting his left wrist in the second quarter. Strus returned to the game and played with his wrist taped.
"Nothing structural or anything," Atkinson said of Strus' wrist. "I think it was just a sprain."
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Thomas Bryant helps Cavs beat Pacers with double-double in first start
Continue reading...
But unlike some Cleveland fans, Thomas Bryant was not tempted to yawn through the Cavs' 117-108 win over the Pacers after Easter dinner on Sunday, April 5. Bryant was starting against his former team, so he was ready to rumble.
With 3:12 left in the fourth quarter, Bryant dunked on Pacers forward Micah Potter to give the playoff-bound Cavs (49-29) a 115-102 lead and an exclamation point on their season sweep of the Pacers (18-60). As Bryant celebrated, Cavs forward Larry Nance Jr. hugged him from behind and threw a towel.
"It felt good to be able to do that, get that poster dunk, and also get the double-double along with it, man," Bryant said. "It just brought a lot of joy to my heart."
In Bryant's first start with the Cavs, he produced 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field (2 of 4 on 3-pointers) and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds. He added two assists and a blocked shot in 26 minutes.
With 2:49 left, Bryant grabbed his 10th rebound to complete the double-double. He immediately pointed toward the ceiling at Rocket Arena to acknowledge the moment.
"It was just the importance of just always staying ready and just having a lot of obstacles come across throughout the summer and throughout the year," Bryant said. "And then to be able to contribute like that in my first start with this team and my guys believing in me, to be out there and do that, it just was a lot of emotion that came with it.”
Cavs news: Cleveland Cavaliers clinch berth in NBA playoffs with win at Golden State Warriors
You must be registered for see images
Bryant started because the Cavs ruled out their frontline big men, center Jarrett Allen (right knee injury management) and forward Evan Mobley (left calf injury management).
With four regular-season games left, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said he doesn't expect anyone on the roster to be shut down until the playoffs. However, Allen is a player to monitor because he has been enduring a prolonged bout with knee tendonitis this season.
If Allen were to miss any portion of the NBA playoffs, which begin April 18, it would be a blow to the Cavs. They would first turn to Mobley to play center, as long as he's healthy, but the ripple effect would also likely create an opportunity for Bryant.
You must be registered for see images
Will Thomas Bryant play for Cavaliers in playoffs?
Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson called Bryant "a pleasant, pleasant surprise" this season.
“Rim protection — I think he's top four in the league," Atkinson said. "He was a good rim protector in Indiana, so this isn't like we [didn’t know he could do it]. But it's so important at the center position, obviously.
"Then he gives us that stretch five, so I think that's a joker we could play during the playoffs, right? [If we are] struggling, whatever, boom — throw him at a five. Get everybody out of the paint, and that could be something we go to eventually. So, it's nice to have that in our pocket.”
You must be registered for see images
Thomas Bryant contract and stats
In September, Bryant signed a one-year contract with the Cavs worth $3.3 million, according to spotrac.com.
Listed as 6 feet, 10 inches and 260 pounds, Bryant is averaging 6.2 points on 50.6% shooting from the field (35.9% on 3-pointers), 3.4 rebounds and 12.2 minutes this season.
"He's a professional," said Cavs point guard James Harden, who tallied 28 points and seven assists against the Pacers. "He's always prepared. He's doing extra conditioning when he's not playing for moments like this. And it showed."
Bryant, 28, has embraced his role with the Cavs. It boils down to getting stops at the rim and making open shots. He also said he strives to provide "infectious energy." The Pacers felt it.
“I'm always gonna be fired up for a game no matter who we're playing, but it was a former team that let you go," Bryant said. "You have a little certain more fire for that.”
Cavs history: Cleveland Cavaliers cherish 'Miracle of Richfield' as 50th anniversary arrives
All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell said he played against Bryant when they were kids competing in AAU. Now Mitchell appreciates what Bryant does for the Cavs.
"We've seen the energy he brings," said Mitchell, who had a game-high 38 points to go along with six rebounds and six assists. "That's why you get a guy like that. He's always like that. He's the music guy. He's at the card table. He's always energetic pregame. He's yelling and screaming and gets us going every night."
You must be registered for see images attach
Cavs injury updates
Mitchell said he's fine after turning an ankle in the fourth quarter.
Atkinson said small forward Max Strus underwent X-rays after hurting his left wrist in the second quarter. Strus returned to the game and played with his wrist taped.
"Nothing structural or anything," Atkinson said of Strus' wrist. "I think it was just a sprain."
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Thomas Bryant helps Cavs beat Pacers with double-double in first start
Continue reading...
