Bones Hyland wanted to shine for his loved ones and the firefighters who saved his life

Four years ago, almost to the day, on March 25, 2018 in Delaware, Bones Hyland seriously injured his knee in conditions as extraordinary as they were tragic. That night, the Nuggets rookie escaped the flames by jumping from the second-story window of his home in Wilmington, a short drive from Philadelphia.

To save his skin, the rookie from Denver had seriously injured his patellar tendon, which at the time put his future professional career in danger. But the saddest and most tragic thing is that this fire had cost the life of his eleven-year-old cousin and his grandmother.

Four years later, most of the firefighters who had helped Hyland that day were present in the bays of the Wells Fargo Center.

Undescribable Feeling… ❤️ thanks for rescuing me & my family.. 🙌🏽 https://t.co/yTSPnLPKDR

— Bones Hyland (@BizzyBones11) March 14, 2022

“As soon as I step onto the floor, I sign myself with a cross”Hyland explains to ESPN. “Just to be grateful to still play basketball. The doctors told me four years ago that it was over. I thank the Lord for that. I play for it every day. “

Between 600 and 700 people close to the player – firefighters, but also families and friends – were present in the stands of the Philadelphia hall and saw Hyland play in the NBA for the first time.

They were not disappointed since with four award-winning baskets in the last quarter, Hyland was decisive in Denver’s victory.

“To come home, 30 minutes away, and do the show, it’s a dream come true for me”confesses the player, author of 21 points in this part. “I’ve always said it: I’m a kid who wants to show another kid from another city that he can experience the same thing as me. Growing up, I had no one to guide me. I want to be that person for young people. “