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Isaiah Thomas’ Return to Boston Put on Hold

By Joshua Bateman

SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 27: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on while there's a time out during an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on December 27, 2017 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 27: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on while there's a time out during an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on December 27, 2017 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Isaiah Thomas will not be making his return to TD Garden against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday

The January 2nd meeting between the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers was going to be the most highly anticipated game of the season. The two teams transformed the Eastern Conference with one of the craziest trades we have ever seen, and that was after they just met in the Eastern Conference finals.

Isaiah Thomas‘ return to Boston had a chance to be the highlight of the regular season, but the Cavaliers have announced that it will have to wait. Thomas will be making his season debut tonight, and will be held out of the Celtics game tomorrow. Thomas has also requested that they also hold off on the tribute video until he is actually suiting up.

The idea makes sense for everyone involved, but it is a terrible shame for the fans. Thomas’ tribute video should be one for the ages, and TD Garden cannot wait to show their love and gratitude for what Thomas did for them over the last few seasons.

Missing out on the return of Thomas takes away the greatest appeal of this game, but there is still so much going on. This could be one of the more important games in determining the Eastern Conference seeding, it is the return of Jae Crowder, whose reception could be interesting considering the way he clashed with fans at the time. And, of course, it is an opportunity for Kyrie Irving to take down the team that he wanted to get away from.

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What this does also mean is that once Thomas does actually return to TD Garden, he will be at full strength. Chances are Thomas may need some time to get back into full game shape, and there could still be a minutes restriction to start things out.

There is a good chance we would not have seen the full Thomas experience had he suited up against the Celtics, and maybe that is part of the reason the Cavaliers chose to have him sit out this one of the back to back.

Thomas easily could have suited up for the Celtics game rather than tonight, but that puts a lot of extra strain and drama when they really need to get him back to full strength.

Now, by the time Thomas gets to play in Boston, he will be back at full strength, and will have had an opportunity to get comfortable playing with the Cavaliers and LeBron James. There should be some sort of adjustment period, and it would have be really hard for him to be at his best in his first game back.

No one should have expected Thomas to play both games of the back to back, but there is no neutral fan out there that didn’t want it to be the game against the Celtics. It takes a lot of steam out of what should still be one of the best games of the season.

Next: Boston Celtics: Top 5 Moments of 2017

Now the Celtics get to focus everything on making sure that they are entirely focused on adding to their lead in first place. The Celtics still need to prove they put that disastrous stretch behind them, and getting a victory against the Cavaliers, with or without Thomas, will make a great statement to bring in the new year.

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