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Indiana Pacers guard Bruce Brown on upcoming championship ring night against Denver Nuggets: 'It'll be a fun night'

Originally posted on FanNation All Pacers | By Tony East | Last updated 1/13/24

Bruce Brown, who signed with the Indiana Pacers during the summer of 2023, won a championship with the Denver Nuggets last season. He played a key role off the bench for the Nuggets in the playoffs and was an in-demand player in free agency.

Because he switched teams, Brown was not present for Denver's title ceremony on October 24 when they raised a banner and distributed championship rings.

"I get my own little ceremony," Brown joked in October. He was looking forward to watching the Nuggets' celebration and shared that he still keeps up with that team. "I'm going to be watching, I'm going to be cheering them on. Those are my guys," he said.

Tomorrow, the 27-year old guard returns to Denver for the first time since playing for the Nuggets. He previously shared that he couldn't wait for this day and said that he was looking forward to his own mini-ceremony. Now-Rockets forward Jeff Green, who was with Denver last season, was celebrated in the Mile High City on December 8. The same thing happened to Ish Smith with the Hornets on January 1.

Brown's turn comes next. AllPacers caught up with the Pacers guard and asked him about his upcoming ring night.

"I haven't really thought about it. I think when it's the night before I'll think about it, when we head to Denver after Atlanta," Brown said on Monday of this week. He has been focused on his season with Indiana and was recently recovering from a knee injury. "I haven't thought much about it. It'll be a fun night."

Brown averaged 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game for Denver. In the postseason, he upped his scoring numbers and was a key bench contributor for the Nuggets. His biggest moment came when he had 21 points, four rebounds, and two assists in a crucial Game 4 road win during the NBA Finals. Denver closed out the series at home in Game 5.

"That blow was big," Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth said of losing Brown and Green in free agency. The Pacers inked the versatile guard to a two-year, $45 million contract in July.

"I think Bruce prides himself on being a guy who is resourceful and can adjust to virtually any NBA situation," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said this week. "He never complains, he just finds a way to get the job done. That has meant a lot to our team this year." Brown is averaging 11.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game for Indiana.

Former Indiana Hoosiers and now Miami Heat center Thomas Bryant, who was with the Nuggets last season as well, will return to Denver on February 29. Brown gets his championship ring before that, though, and Sunday looks to be an exciting night for Indiana's veteran guard.

This article first appeared on FanNation All Pacers and was syndicated with permission.

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