Thomas Bryant saw the mismatch, sized it up, and went to work.
Matched up against Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel on the block, the Cavaliers’ big man did exactly what you’d expect from a veteran center with a clear advantage-he backed the rookie down and finished over him with confidence. Then came the celebration: Bryant threw up the “too small” gesture, a classic flex in today’s NBA.
But as he turned to head back down the floor, things took a turn-Bryant stumbled and hit the deck. The moment went from dominant to meme-worthy in a matter of seconds.
It’s the kind of clip tailor-made for social media. A strong play followed by a fall during the celebration?
That’s internet gold. But let’s not let the stumble distract from the bigger picture here.
Bryant, who signed with Cleveland in the offseason, didn’t see much action early in the year. His minutes were limited, and his role was unclear. But with injuries thinning the Cavs’ frontcourt rotation, Bryant’s number has been called more often-and he’s responded.
He’s brought energy, physicality, and veteran savvy to the floor. Plays like this-minus the fall-show why he’s earning more time. He’s not just filling in; he’s making a case to stay in the rotation even when the roster is fully healthy.
The fall? It’s a blip.
A funny, viral moment that fans will laugh about. But for the Cavs, what matters is that Bryant is playing meaningful minutes and producing.
He’s doing the work, and that’s what this team needs right now.
So yes, the celebration didn’t go as planned. But the bucket counted, and more importantly, so does the effort Bryant is giving Cleveland.