Boston Celtics star Isaiah Thomas was faced with a scenario no person would want to deal with. His younger sister died yesterday in a single-car accident and the All-Star guard was one day away from game 1 of the 2017 NBA Playoffs. Ultimately, Thomas laced up his sneakers and took the court for the C’s in Game 1 of their round one series against the Chicago Bulls. But Thomas’ appearance also came with a lot of emotion, as anticipated.
Take a look at the scene at TD Garden ahead of game 1 between the Celtics and Bulls.
Isaiah Thomas overcome with emotions before the #Celtics host the #Bulls in game one… pic.twitter.com/ypm99akOHi
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 16, 2017
Prayers to you @isaiah_thomas. pic.twitter.com/FGVVgXKYhm
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 16, 2017
Prayers to you @isaiah_thomas. pic.twitter.com/FGVVgXKYhm
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 16, 2017
Isaiah Thomas gets a loud ovation from the Boston #celtics fans.
Do the damn thing today, @Isaiah_Thomas.pic.twitter.com/wxTHxar1Xr
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 16, 2017
Thomas’ teammates Al Horford, Avery Bradley, his head coach Brad Stevens and even Bulls’ wingman Jimmy Butler opened up about Thomas coming out and playing given the circumstances.
“It’s a difficult time for Isaiah and his family and for us as well,” Al Horford reflected after the game. “We wanted to come out and be able to win this game, but there are bigger things than just basketball.”
“This was difficult, and I felt like our guys really dealt with it in the right way,” said Horford, who tallied 19 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in the defeat. “Isaiah is the one that I felt like dealt with it best. We knew he was hurting. We have a lot of respect for him that he was able to come out. It’s not an easy task, but he didn’t make excuses and we didn’t either. We really tried to come out here and focus on the game.”
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“Isaiah, to me, is family,” said (Avery) Bradley. “We grew up in the same area. I know it’s tough for him. It says a lot about him (to be able to play through it). It says he’s a true competitor.
“I know tonight he was playing for his sister. He was playing for his family. We appreciate that as teammates.”
“He is just an amazing basketball player and a better person,” said Bradley. “I’m happy with the way he played tonight, and we just need to continue to fight for him.”
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“He’s a hell of a player, but that’s always tough to go through,” (Jimmy) Butler said of Thomas’ perseverance. “It just goes to show the type of player and man he is to go out there and battle through what he was going through for his organization and team.”
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“The perspective of it all hits you in a hard way,” said Stevens. “I couldn’t help but be inspired by his play.”
