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.