‘Boston love is real’: Isaiah Thomas said he still appreciates Celtics’ support
"Don’t matter what happened in the past. All those guys communicate with me still. I’m always locked in on Celtics games."
Isaiah Thomas reflects on Celtics ties: It’s been a long road for Isaiah Thomas since he was dealt by Danny Ainge (then the Celtics’ president of basketball operations) to the Cavaliers in 2017 as part of a blockbuster trade for Kyrie Irving.
Thomas, now 35, had already suffered a hip injury by the time of the trade that would eventually render him almost unable to run. The result was that a player who was an MVP candidate with Boston became an NBA journeyman — he’s played on seven different teams since the trade — and hasn’t appeared in a league game in two years.
In a recent interview with Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe, Thomas claimed that he’s finally healthy again after corrective hip surgery. He also wants to work his way back onto an NBA roster, though the odds are long.
Being an underdog has always been part of Thomas’s story, however, and he remains optimistic after catching on with the Salt Lake City Stars. This was partly achieved via Ainge, who’s now the CEO of the Utah Jazz.
“We chopped it up a few times,” Thomas said of Ainge, referencing the strained relationship between the two after the 2017 trade to Cleveland. Still, Thomas credited Ainge for playing a role in facilitating his current opportunity.
“Danny, he helped make this thing happen. He connected the dots. [Stars general manager] Marquis [Newman] welcomed me in with open arms. They’re just letting me be me, and I’m just super thankful.”
On Tuesday, the Stars defeated the Sioux Falls Skyforce 133-127, with Thomas adding a game-high 30 points (along with eight assists). In the crowd watching the game was Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, along with several Boston assistants (Mazzulla’s brother is an assistant coach with the Stars).
Washburn asked Thomas if he noticed Mazzulla and the Celtics’ staff.
“It’s real love,” Thomas replied. “As you know, Boston love is real. Don’t matter what happened in the past. All those guys communicate with me still. I’m always locked in on Celtics games.
“That was a big part of my life,” he added. “That was an important time in my life as well, so it’s always going to be love for everybody who’s in that organization that was a helping hand to me and my family. I appreciate the support. That s*** goes a long way.”
Whether or not Thomas will get a second chance with the Celtics — Boston does have an open roster spot — remains to be seen. Still, Thomas said that regardless of the outcome, he’s “going to continue to fight.”
Trivia: Isaiah Thomas was the last pick of the 2011 NBA Draft (selected 60th by the Kings). Who was the first pick that year?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: Duke.
Scores and schedules:
The Celtics defeated the Jazz 123-107 on Tuesday night. Jayson Tatum paced Boston with 38 points.
Tonight, PWHL Boston will face Minnesota on the road at the Xcel Energy Center at 7 p.m.
The Celtics will be back in action on Thursday night against the Suns at TD Garden at 7:30 p.m.
Elsewhere, the Bruins will face the Canadiens on Thursday night in Montreal at 7 p.m.
And also on Thursday, the Revolution will play the second leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 matchup in Costa Rica against Liga Deportiva Alajuelense. New England leads 4-0 after the first leg win at Gillette Stadium last week.
More from Boston.com:
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- Report: Patriots sign two-time Pro Bowl tight end to 1-year deal
- Aaron Rodgers and Jesse Ventura top RFK Jr.’s list for running mate
- NHL insider: Linus Ullmark was ‘expecting that he would be traded’ last week
- Patriots reportedly ‘pushing’ for Calvin Ridley, but WR ‘prefers’ this team
- New Bruins defenseman Andrew Peeke looking for clean slate after trade
- Report: Patriots could target Chargers trade candidates this offseason
- Patriots reportedly re-sign pass rusher Josh Uche to 1-year deal
- Rob Gronkowski named 2024 Boston Marathon grand marshal
- Report: Paul Pierce likely to join FS1’s ‘Undisputed’ show with Skip Bayless
- Bruins sign Notre Dame defenseman Drew Bavaro
- How Hanson’s Ally Sentnor, the NWSL’s top draft pick, became ‘destined for greatness’
- Report: Bengals sign ex-Patriots tight end Mike Gesicki
Luke Kornet has jokes: “Oh, are you doing an interview? I didn’t notice.”
On this day: In 1962, the Celtics set a new NBA regular season record with 60 wins in the regular season following a 142-110 victory over the Syracuse Nationals.
Bill Russell led the way with 26 points, 37 rebounds, and five assists. Satch Sanders was the game’s high-scorer, totaling 30 points along with 26 rebounds.
Daily highlight: Former UConn standout Andre Jackson Jr. got way above the rim for the put-back in the Bucks’ loss on Tuesday. Watching the replay, even players on the Kings’ bench can be seen expressing shock.
Trivia answer: Kyrie Irving
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