Chicago coach Fred Hoiberg lauded his team's defensive effort, particularly how it outrebounded Boston 53-36.
His 22-year-old sister, Chyna, passed away in a vehicle accident this weekend.
He scored 15 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, including five during an 8-0 run midway through the period that put Chicago in control, and they held on to beat the Celtics 106-102 on Sunday.
But if there's a group built for such a challenge, it would seem to be this one.
But how he was able to lock in down the stretch was no surprise to his coach.
"He was incredible. He's an unbelievable player and an wonderful person", Boston coach Brad Stevens said. "I just think us leaders - Avery, myself, Al (Horford) - have to pick the team's spirits up as a group".
In case everyone forgot, this is also the same Chicago team who nearly missed the playoffs, getting in by a hair with beating the Miami Heat in the tiebreaker.
Cooper-USA TODAY Sports via ReutersBOSTON, April 17 - Isaiah Thomas played with a heavy heart yesterday, scoring 33 points in a 106-102 National Basketball Association playoff loss to the Chicago Bulls just one day after his younger sister was killed in a auto crash. The Celtics star guard lost his 22-year-old sister in a tragic auto accident on Saturday and then had to play less than 24 hours later. Stevens said no funeral date has been set, but the Celtics plan to attend.
Emotionally exhausted, Thomas elected not to speak with reporters following Sunday's game. Thomas, in sweatpants, stood at halfcourt talking to Stevens.
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Stevens knows firsthand of how the Celtics can embrace one of their own.
Then there was the team's public show of unity before its preseason opener in October. The two grew up outside Seattle and played AAU ball together.
Prior to Game 1, Thomas was extremely emotional and was crying during the pregame ceremonies. "I think he's as good as he can be, I guess". "It's a weird time to happen, but I have no doubt in my teammates, I have trust in them, and we have to bounce back". "Sit this one out, buddy; we got you". I know it's tough for him. "And no matter what goes on, we're always going to have each other's back".
Still, there is basketball to be played.
Bradley echoed those statements after the game, saying that Thomas' emotion weighed heavy over the entire team. "That makes me uncomfortable so that tells me he's not in shape to play". That's just not a good look, in my personal opinion. "It's going to also carry the city".
"Part of coping is trying to find normalcy, and his normalcy is on the court", he said. "This was hard, and I felt like our guys really dealt with it the right way".
Golden State's Kevin Durant talked about Thomas after the Warriors' Game One victory over Portland.
"Whatever he needs to do, he needs to do, and we'll help him in any way", Stevens said.
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