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Isaiah Thomas’ Performance was Truly Inspiring

By Michael James

Apr 16, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) gets a hug from guard Avery Bradley (0) after hitting a shot against the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) gets a hug from guard Avery Bradley (0) after hitting a shot against the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Isaiah Thomas played terrific basketball the day after he lost his little sister

Basketball has felt secondary in the beginning of the eastern conference playoffs, as Isaiah Thomas tragically lost his younger sister Chyna in a fatal car accident. A ton of different things must have been going through Thomas’ mind, but he locked into the game and played a great game. The Celtics didn’t get the win, but Thomas was truly inspiring on Sunday.

There was uncertainty to whether Thomas would play at all in game 1. Head Coach Brad Stevens was going to let him do whatever he wanted, and what the two-time all star desired was to play. Fighting away tears, Thomas joined his brothers in green for the first game of hopefully a deep playoff run.

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Thomas scored 13 points in the first quarter, with a deep three to blow the roof off of TD Garden. Throughout the game, Thomas looked like himself getting to the rim, hitting pull up threes, and even getting a technical in the second half. He was completely justified by the way. There was one referee in particular that was exceptionally bad at calling fouls in the Bulls’ favor.

Anyway, Thomas could have gone scoreless and it would have been okay. He poured in 33 points, and was one of the only bright spots for the Celtics all night. His team needs to find a way to help him out, but as long as Thomas keeps doing what he wants, fans will have to accept it.

Apr 16, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) is surrounded by Chicago Bulls including forward Bobby Portis (5) and guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the fourth quarter of the Chicago Bulls 106-102 win over the Boston Celtics in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) is surrounded by Chicago Bulls including forward Bobby Portis (5) and guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the fourth quarter of the Chicago Bulls 106-102 win over the Boston Celtics in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Not many know what Thomas is going through. The pain must be unbearable. The only thing us fans can do is stick behind him through everything.

Next: 3 Things the Celtics Need to do to Win in the Playoffs

Thomas is a competitor, plain and simple. The way he played in game 1 points directly to who he is, and is why Boston loves him. Rebounding and turnovers can be fixed, but the Celtics have something that the Bulls, or anyone else in the NBA don’t. They have Isaiah. As long as he’s on the roster, Boston will have a chance.

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