Big night for Dwight Howard in his return to Staples Center on Thursday -- first he got his 2020 NBA Championship ring ... and then he got EJECTED!
Remember, Howard was part of the Lakers team that won it all in Orlando during the bizarre bubble season of 2020.
After the season, he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers ... right around the time Danny Green was traded from L.A. to Philly.
Both returned to Staples for the first time this season on Thursday where the Lakers honored the two with a ring ceremony before tipoff.
Big smiles. Big diamonds. Everyone seemed to be in a great mood.
But, everything changed when the game began -- Howard got into it with Lakers tough guy Montrezl Harrell in a chippy 1st quarter.
Things culminated with Howard intentionally bumping Harrell as time expired in the 1st quarter -- Harrell shoved him back.
Dwight Howard’s ejection after shoving Montrezl Harrell pic.twitter.com/bf6WpMTnZ9
— Samuel H. Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) March 26, 2021
Howard got the technical and was ejected from the game.
At least he had a sparkly parting gift ...
Ultimately, the 76ers got the win -- even without Dwight -- taking down the champs in a 109 to 101 victory.
Dwight is hoping to lock up his 2nd NBA championship ring this season -- the 76ers are in 1st place in the NBA's Eastern Conference.