Before he checked in for the first time in more than a year, Thomas Bryant warmed up on an exercise bike by the tunnel to the locker room. An ice pack was wrapped around the Washington Wizards center’s knee— a small reminder of the injury that temporarily took away his basketball dream.
So when Bryant finally entered in the second quarter to cheers, the 24-year-old was grateful.
“You almost have a newfound appreciation,” Bryant said after Wednesday’s win over the Orlando Magic.
In the process, Bryant was able to show what the Wizards had missed in his absence.