The performance Isaiah Thomas has put on despite personal tragedy this postseason is one of the NBA’s most inspiring stories. Even for LeBron James.
James spoke about Thomas’ spectacular play in Boston Celtics‘ second round series against the Washington Wizards after an overtime thriller where Thomas scored 53 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter and overtime. The overtime win and dazzling display came on what would have been his sister’s birthday.
James was asked about Thomas’s play on Wednesday and raved about the “special” postseason the Celtics star is having despite the tragic death of his sister.
I think it’s very special. Special guy. Special talent. Unique talent, and with yesterday being his sister’s birthday, I believe that she was just looking upon him — looking down on him — and giving him everything and more.
There was no way he was going to get tired last night. I just felt that. I saw it watching the game, at no point was he going to get tired. I just think that she was looking down on him and giving him any little extra motivation, any little touch, any little spring.
The way Thomas has played after suffering through such a traumatic hardship is inspiring, and James spoke to the special way an athlete can take solace in his craft as a way to escape the horrors of everyday life.
When you’re on that court, that’s your sanctuary. That’s where you can kinda block everything out, no matter what you’re going through in your individual life, you can block everything out because that’s your happy place. And it definitely showed for him in his individual performance.
Tuesday night’s offensive outburst is only the latest in amazing games for Thomas. In Game One of the series against the Wizards, Thomas lost a tooth and kept playing after he casually picked it up off the ground. At this point, Thomas looks unstoppable. And as inspiring as his performance is, it might be a journey James and the Cavaliers will be tasked with ending if both teams reach the next round.
