Isaiah Thomas played with a heavy heart on Sunday, 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.
Thomas attended the team's film session and short walk-through Monday, but did not speak with the media.
Just a day removed from the tragic death of his sister Chyna, Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas honored her memory during Sunday's playoff action against the Chicago Bulls.
Thomas' world was turned upside down on the eve of Boston's opener when his 22-year-old sister - Chyna - died in a auto crash on Sunday.
The Celtics coach added that Thomas plans to return to the team on time for Game 3 in Chicago on Friday night.
Bulls rally to beat Celtics 106-102 in playoff series Game 1: Neither team had more than a two-possession lead until Butler made three free throws with 4 minutes to play make it 95-88. "I think that one of the things that I've learned, having been through situations in the past is that there's really no right or wrong answer". "It's really tough when he's sitting there and some of his family is back in Seattle".
"Obviously the losses weren't easy but I did understand, I think we understood what we're getting into and I know in the long run that the adversity that we had to face, it's nearly like you deserve to face that", Atkinson said.
They won't get near one anytime soon, either. Obviously, that's what you'd hope you have in a team. To Celtics fans, their team wasn't supposed to lose the first game of their playoff run.
'Giraffe Cam' to be taken down after April suffers leg injury
The park's veterinarian is aware of the issue, and the park said the injury is not unheard of in long-legged animals. April and the baby will be introduced to the public when the park opens for the season next month.
Stevens knows firsthand of how the Celtics can embrace one of their own.
Prior to Sunday's game, TNT's cameras captured teammate Avery Bradley comforting Thomas on the bench during the pregame shootaround.
"I think he'll be glad-like, this is just me thinking-I think he'll be glad when the game starts", Barkley said. Many former athletes have said the distraction of basketball could help Thomas cope, and his performance suggested he was able to get lost in Game 1.
Bradley says it's important now to pick Thomas up on and off the court.
Bradley, for his part, told Mass Live that, "Me and Isaiah have known each other since we were kids. You couldn't help but be inspired by his play". "I look at this as this momentum carries him and the Celtics".
"We just need to continue to fight for him - Isaiah to me is like family".
And in Houston, James Harden scored 37 points to outshine MVP rival Russell Westbrook as Houston pulled away in the third quarter to rout Oklahoma City 118-87 in game one.
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