It was a bittersweet return to Boston for the Celtics' former point guard Isaiah Thomas. He and the Denver Nuggets won 114-105, clinching a spot in the playoffs and Thomas received a touching tribute from the Celtics organization and fans. However, Thomas played just six minutes and didn't score. After the game, Denver coach Mike Malone expressed some doubts as to whether or not Thomas could get back to the level he was playing at in Boston.
“I'm not sure,” Malone said, when he was asked if Thomas could recapture the magic of his season with the Celtics two years ago. “What I will say is this: If anybody can do it, it's him. His heart, his determination, his confidence.”
“[But] will he be the player from two years ago, that led the league in fourth-quarter scoring, and averaged 29 per game and was an All-Star? I don't know.”
Thomas was the final pick in the 2o11 NBA Draft. After three seasons with the Sacramento Kings, and half a year with the Phoenix Suns, Thomas thought he had found his home in Boston. He was named an All-Star in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons and was one of the league's most dynamic scorers.
In his final year as a Celtic, Thomas' sister, Chyna, was killed in an auto accident in Washington state. The top-seeded Celtics were preparing for the playoffs. Thomas played through the heartbreak, as well as a hip injury for much of the playoffs.
Thomas' last game with Boston was Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals versus the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team the Celtics would eventually trade him to for disgruntled star Kyrie Irving. Thomas only played 15 games for the Cavs before again being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. He signed with Denver in the offseason, and spent most of the year getting healthy. In the 10 games he's played for the Nuggets, Thomas is averaging only 7.7 points on 36.4 percent shooting overall.
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