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NY Post
New York Post
9 Apr 2023


NextImg:Heat’s Udonis Haslem gifted rocking chair, goes off in final NBA game

Entering the last day of the regular season, Udonis Haslem, 42, is the oldest player in the NBA.

Sunday was the final game of his NBA regular season career, which will probably be prolonged a bit following a Miami Heat playoff run if they win a play-in game this week.

In any event, it was an emotional day in Miami by sending off its 20-year franchise cornerstone, which also included the gift of a rocking chair.

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The chair was presented in tandem by All-Star Bam Adebayo and team mascot Burnie.

The rocking chair itself is decorated, donning Haslem’s No. 40, which the team will likely retire, and has the championships he’s won with the team listed on the side — 2006, 2012 and 2013.

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo gifts 20-year vet Udonis Haslem a rocking chair before his final NBA game.
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

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Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem sits in his gifted rocking chair before his final NBA game.

Udonis Haslem sits in his new rocking chair prior to tip-off against the Orlando Magic.
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

Haslem, who turns 43 in June, made only his seventh appearance of the 2022-23 season.

He has primarily been a locker-room presence and leader for a Heat organization that’s reached an NBA Finals and two Eastern Conference Finals over the last four seasons.

But the 6-foot-8 forward did make sure his final NBA effort — unless, of course, he sees playing time in the play-ins or playoffs — counted.

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Haslem came into the game about three minutes into the first quarter and received a loud ovation.

Former teammate Dwayne Wade also made an appearance for Haslem and rocked the veteran’s jersey.

He ended the afternoon with 24 points — his highest single-game total since netting 28 against the then-New Jersey Nets on Nov. 14, 2009.

Udonis Haslem poses with former long-time teammate Dwyane Wade after scoring 24 points in his final NBA regular season game. Wade wore a Haslem jersey while in attendance.

Udonis Haslem poses with former long-time teammate Dwyane Wade after scoring 24 points in his final regular season game. Wade wore a Haslem jersey while in attendance.
AP

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The Heat subsequently defeated the Orlando Magic 123-110 and will be one of four play-in tournament teams in action on Tuesday, taking on the Atlanta Hawks.

Both teams will have a shot at the Eastern Conference defending champion No. 2 Boston Celtics in round one of the NBA Playoffs.