NBA makes an exception for Thomas Bryant. And Heat injury update

The NBA rule is pretty simple: If you’re suspended for a game, you’re not permitted inside the arena.

But the league is making an exception for Heat center Thomas Bryant because of highly unusual circumstances.

Bryant, due to serve the third game of a three-game league suspension on Thursday, is being permitted to enter Ball Arena in Denver briefly on Thursday in order to receive his 2023 championship ring from the Nuggets before Miami plays Denver (10 p.m., TNT).

Bryant then will be required to leave the arena following the pregame ceremony because of his NBA suspension.

Bryant played only 29 seconds for the Nuggets during their entire postseason run to a championship last season, with that one appearance coming in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Heat.

He appeared in just 18 games for Denver after being acquired from the Lakers in a four-team trade last February.

Bryant was suspended three games without pay following an on-court incident involving several players in Friday’s Heat win in New Orleans.

The NBA suspended Bryant for “leaving the bench area during an on-court altercation and fighting.”

Bryant has appeared in 25 games for the Heat and hasn’t been a rotation regular since early in the season.

INJURY UPDATE

The Heat listed Tyler Herro as questionable for Thursday’s game because of hyperextended left knee, an injury that sidelined him the past two games.

Kevin Love was listed as questionable with a right heel bruise. Center Orlando Robinson (back sparms) is probable.

Josh Richardson remains out with a dislocated shoulder.