Isaiah Thomas defied the odds when he was selected as the last overall pick of the 2011 NBA draft. Many teams overlooked Thomas due to his small size as a guard. Despite facing skepticism, Thomas consistently showcased his on-court excellence throughout his career in the league. Isaiah Thomas recently appeared as a special guest on the Knuckleheads podcast.
During the podcast, Thomas discussed his time with the Boston Celtics. He stated that despite not winning a championship with the Celtics, he holds a deep and unique affection for the team and its fanbase. Thomas even mentioned that the Celtics hold a special place in his heart.
There’s no comparison… Playing for the Celtics is amazing, & then the love you get… You would think I won a championship… The love that I got there from day one… It’s just different.
Isaiah Thomas via Knuckleheads Podcast
Thomas led the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2017, showcasing his talent and determination as the team’s front runner. Despite being considered an underdog, he gave his all for the team, averaging an impressive 24.7 points, 6.0 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game for the Celtics. While the Celtics ultimately fell short to the Cleveland Cavaliers led by LeBron James, Thomas had already earned his due from the fanbase.
“There’s no comparison… Playing for the Celtics is amazing, & then the love you get… You would think I won a championship… The love that I got there from day one… It’s just different.”
— Isaiah Thomas 🙌
(via @KnuckleheadsPod)pic.twitter.com/gPpaMZ9bY4
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 2, 2024
The career of Thomas took a turn for the worse when he suffered a hip injury. It also led to him being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Kyrie Irving. After his time with the Celtics, Thomas has struggled to find stability in the league.
Isaiah Thomas had the most emotional game of his career with the Boston Celtics
During his time with the Boston Celtics, Isaiah Thomas proved to be a dominant force. Many considered him and the Celtics as contenders for the championship. However, one of the most tragic incidents occurred in Thomas’ life when his little sister tragically died in a car accident, leaving Thomas completely heartbroken.
On May 2, 2017, Thomas’ sister’s birthday coincided with Game 2 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Semifinals. As the game began, fans witnessed an emotional Thomas, still grieving the loss of his late sister. However, once the game commenced, Thomas put up one of the best performances of his career. He dominated the Washington Wizards, scoring 53 points and leading the Celtics to a thrilling overtime victory.
Thomas’ game one of the most emotional and unforgettable moments in NBA playoff history. He had been building up emotions since his sister’s tragic passing, and his extraordinary night served as a cathartic release.
