Boston Celtics Commentary: Isaiah Thomas is a Little Man with One Big Heart

Isaiah Thomas continues to play big for the Boston Celtics even when his heart is heavy and the tears are flowing.

It was an emotional scene Sunday night at the TD Garden. With swollen eyes, Boston Celtics All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas stepped onto the court with support from fans, coaches and teammates to play a playoff basketball game that suddenly didn’t appear as important.

Just less than 24 hours after receiving word that his younger sister, Chyna Thomas, was killed in a car accident, Thomas played in Game 1 of the series against the Chicago Bulls. The team suffered a loss, but not anywhere as overwhelming as the one that was weighing down the heart of their teammate and leader.

With a 33-point effort, Isaiah Thomas proved again how much he means to the team and how important he is. But, was playing in the game, under those circumstances, too much for a grieving NBA star?

More from Chowder and Champions

Basketball legend and NBA analyst Charles Barkley felt so and received backlash for the following statement made prior to Sunday’s game, via For the Win:

"“I’m not feeling comfortable with him sitting on the sideline crying like that. That makes me uncomfortable because that tells me he’s not in shape to play. I don’t know how this night is going to turn out. But to be sitting on the sideline a few minutes before the game, crying, that makes me uncomfortable for him. That’s just not a good look, in my personal opinion.”"

While the comment was not well received, Barkley did misinterpret footage taken hours before the game. In his eyes, Thomas shown crying was actually hours before the game, during shoot-around and not just moments before the Game 1 tip-off.

Still, Barkley’s words were a bit much for that moment and appeared to undermine the type of strength Isaiah Thomas was exhibiting just taking the court.

Let’s face it, we all deal with tragedy in different ways. In my opinion, Thomas needed to play as a temporary escape and outlet.

He needed to play as a reminder of how short life can be; as a reminder of his own journey that brought him where he is today. Isaiah Thomas needed to play for himself all that he has overcome as a basketball player. Most importantly, he needed to play in honor of the memory of his sister.

With tears draining from his eyes, the 5-foot-9 point guard with the big heart played for something bigger than the game. On Sunday night, he played the game for life.

Next: Boston Bruins Grind for an Unfortunate Loss in Overtime

For more opinions and commentary on your favorite Boston Celtics players, keep it locked here at Chowder and Champions.

Home/Boston Celtics