Isaiah Thomas Makes History in Game Two

Isaiah Thomas transcended description as he gave the Boston Celtics a 2-0 lead on the Wizards

Isaiah Thomas came into this second round series with inconsistent results at the beginning of the Chicago Bulls series. Thomas found his form to close the series out, and was able to come into the Washington Wizards series with some confidence in his shooting.

In game one, he put together his best performance of the season. He hit five three pointers, and carried the Celtics on the offensive end, leading to the massive comeback to start the game, and phenomenal game control to close it.

Then game two happened, and for what feels like the 100th time, Thomas has redefined what can be expected of him. Thomas put together the kind of transcendent performance that can stand up with anything anyone has done in the NBA.

Taking into account not only his deadly offense to close out the game, Thomas was winning battles against John Wall on the defensive end, something everyone likes to say is impossible. Thomas willed his way to a victory that very few players have shown they are capable of.

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It was not just that Thomas was scoring, and he did plenty of that, falling one point shy of the Celtics record for most point scored in a playoff game. Yes, more than Paul Pierce or Larry Bird ever scored. Thomas controlled the game in ways that is only done by the most special players in the league.

Perhaps the most impressive part is that Wall also put together one of the great performances of the postseason. The Celtics withstood a career day from Wall, because Thomas made sure that he would be just enough better to win.

Thomas did not do it by himself. This was one of the better offensive games we have seen in the playoffs. Both teams were shooting above 60 percent for a large portion of the game. Once again, the Celtics bench came through in a way that I’m not even sure Brad Stevens could have expected. Terry Rozier not only hit some of the most clutch shots in the game, but his ability to crash the boards and set up his teammates made this the most complete performance of his career.

Jaylen Brown and Kelly Olynyk combined to miss one shot, and Brown brought the kind of defense that is never seen from rookies. Marcus Smart not only stuffed the stat sheet, but he continues to make some of the biggest players. Smart generates extra opportunities when they are most valuable, and that is something that can never be replaced.

Across the board, the Celtics were getting positive contributions from every player that stayed on the floor. There were plenty of defensive breakdowns, but every player on the court managed to have positive contributions, and Thomas took care of the rest in a way that will forever be remembered by Celtics fans.

The Celtics are familiar with what can happen when a series is at 2-0, but they can be confident in their ability to win on the road. The Celtics cannot expect Thomas to do that every night, but the same can also be said about Wall.

All that matters right now is that Thomas is playing the best basketball of his season, Al Horford is playing the best ball of his season, Avery Bradley is playing the best ball of his season, even Jae Crowder, when he is shooting well, has been at his very best.

The bench is getting contributions from the two youngsters that were in and out of the rotation, and everyone seems to have a good idea of what they need to do.

The Celtics are probably due for a down shooting game, but all they need to worry about is continuing to generate these open looks. Thomas has proven that if they can just hit a respectable amount, he will always have it in him to do the rest.

In game two, Wall pushed Thomas to limits that were yet to be realized, and the battle between these two point guards could make this the most entertaining series of the playoffs.

Thomas has more than shut down anyone that dared question whether or not he can play in the playoffs. Wall has a reputation as one of the strongest defensive guards in the league, and Thomas continues to find ways to get around any defensive approach they take

Thomas is finding the matchups he likes, and just ask Markieff Morris what it is like trying to stay with him as he creates space with his dribble.

Next: Why the Bench is More Important Than the Starters

Thomas had a historic season by time and time again finding ways to do what was necessary to win. In the playoffs, the standard has skyrocketed, and Thomas has responded without blinking. In the midst of the kind of turmoil and hardship that cannot even be described, Thomas grows as the greatest inspiration in this league.