Throughout their rich NBA history, many great players joined the Boston Celtics. But only one of them put the team on his back and led even after the tragic death of his young sister. Yes, it’s the journey of 2× NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas, who just in 2 and a half seasons became one of the most popular figures in Boston history. However, when the Celtics decided to trade him, it wasn’t just a simple transaction—it left Thomas grappling with a lot of doubts and tough decisions.
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Thomas opened up about his time in Boston during an appearance on the Knuckleheads Podcast. Reflecting on the unexpected trade that first brought him to the Celtics, Thomas confessed that his initial reaction was far from excitement. “First off, I’m thinking I am finally on a playoff team. I have been on a losing team for 3 years, so I am finally on a playoff team,” he shared. The dilemma?
The Celtics were in rebuild mode and, as Thomas bluntly put it, “they’re not that good at that time and it’s cold.” It was a move that felt off for Thomas, but NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, no relation but a trusted mentor, tried to set his mind at ease.
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The Detroit Pistons icon reached out with a bold prediction, telling the younger guard, “This is going to be the best move of your career.” It was reassuring, but Isaiah still found himself caught in a web of uncertainties. Boston’s bitter winters weren’t the only thing freezing his enthusiasm. Money was tight, and he’d often show up to practice in just a T-shirt. More importantly, the team’s roster wasn’t exactly championship material at the time, and skepticism lingered.
Yet, despite the challenges, Isaiah quickly became the heart and soul of the Celtics. In just over two seasons, he not only adjusted but thrived, earning back-to-back All-Star nods during a deeply personal and painful chapter of his life. When his sister passed away in a tragic car accident, Thomas carried the weight of his grief onto the court, leading Boston through an emotional playoff run that would cement his legacy.
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 2: Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the game against the Washington Wizards in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2016 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Even though his tenure was brief, Thomas’s bond with Boston remained unbreakable. After the Celtics clinched the 2024 NBA title, he tweeted, “Real love for the city of Boston! Dope to see that shit happen frfr 🏁.” So, was the older Isiah Thomas right in predicting the best move of his career? In many ways, yes. But not everything went as perfectly as planned.
Isaiah Thomas and the Celtics’ disappointment
During the 2016-17 season, Thomas put on a show, averaging a career-high 28.9 points per game—the second-highest scoring average in Celtics history. He even finished fifth in MVP voting that year. To this day, Thomas holds the franchise record for most points per game, sitting at an impressive 24.7. But then it all took a turn.
In the 2017 playoffs, Thomas, known for his fearless style, played through what he thought was just a minor injury. Yet, as the games wore on, it became clear that this was no ordinary bump or bruise.
“At this point, it’s still a ‘bone bruise.’ There isn’t nothing else diagnosed. It’s just like it can’t get any worse; that’s what was stated,” Thomas shared on the Knuckleheads Podcast. He went into those games thinking he could handle it, but the moment he took a hit in Game 2 of the Cavs series, everything changed. “I remember getting hit by a screen, and it just shoots to the back of my hip, and I’m like, ‘What the…’”
He revealed that during the half-time break, GM Danny Ainge and all the doctors told him it was serious. “They’re like, you’re done, it’s a wrap. We gotta go to the doctor. We gotta figure this out.” Despite bouncing around the league for another seven years with various teams, Thomas’s love for the Celtics never wavered. The disappointment of that ending still lingers, but the bond between player and team remains unbroken.
Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.
Written by
Edited by
Pragya Vashisth