ISAIAH THOMAS PLAYED with a heavy heart Sunday, scoring 33 points in a 106-102 NBA playoff loss to the Chicago Bulls just one day after his younger sister was killed in a car crash.
Thomas took to the court on an emotional night at the Boston Garden despite the death of 22-year-old Chyna.
Thomas, whom he honoured by pencilling her name on his green sneakers and adding “RIP Lil Sis.”
There was a moment of silence after the grieving Thomas led his teammates onto the floor and just before the playing of the American national anthem.
“He was incredible. He’s an amazing player and an amazing person,” Boston coach Brad Stevens said. “The days won’t get easier for him, but he somehow plays like that.”
Thomas received a heart-warming standing ovation from the home crowd.
He led the Celtics with 33 points, hitting a layup with seven seconds left to cut Chicago’s lead to 104-102 in the opening game of their first round playoff series.
Chyna Thomas was killed Saturday in a single-car road accident, the Tacoma News Tribune reported.
The Celtics confirmed the death with the release of a statement later in the day.
“We are terribly saddened by the tragic loss of Chyna Thomas,” the NBA team said. “The thoughts and prayers of the entire Celtics organization are with Isaiah and his family.”
The Washington State Patrol said Chyna Thomas, 22, died at the scene of the accident at around 5 a.m. in Federal Way, Washington, located between Tacoma and Seattle.
Witnesses told authorities that her car was moving normally before drifting into a barrier then hitting a post head-on.
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I’ll hold my hands up, I called him a “feckin’ ginger gowl” when he scored that square ball in the semi against Kildare in 2010.
Sorry Benjo.
Made me laugh that one..
Same here
Headline is completely misleading: âIâve been the victim of GAA sledgingâ When you read the article bennys stroy is all positive. Why give a negative headline for a good honest interview about a lad that lives breaths eats sleeps football and make it look somewhat different? Your headline should be Hi I’m Benny Coulter, I play gaelic for my club, county & country and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Also would like to add its a pleasure watching the likes of Benny Coulter on the pitch, a rare talent
Well said.
Non story. Happens in virtually every competitive sport and long may it continue.
Yes. What type of oversensitive pansies have we become that this is even being discussed? They are words, that’s all.
Thousands of pounds???? I think you are a bit confused there Figo!!!!!!
He is obviously joking for feck sake…
These lads get thousands of euro every week to represent their county, playing the sport they love. Surely they can take a bit of banter?
“thousands of Euro every week”, think your mixing it up with the premiership lad. Sure, they might get fast tracked into a job or might get car sponsorship but thousands of euros weekly, not likely.
I’ve never liked any of that off the ball nonsense in GAA, trash talking and having a dig. Pointless and always spolied the game for me. There’s nothing wrong with treating an opponent with respect.
What a cry baby, You never see the Dubs moaning and crying We was the victims of some bad tackles on the way to winning the All Ireland but we took it like men. Up the Dubs
Ha ha ha ha ha! The Dubs, victims? I presume you are a master of irony with a statement like that? Bit rich for any northern team to be cribbing and moaning about antics on a pitch as well, albeit Down are the cleanest and fairest of all of them.
He’s saying the trash talkers are fools and he’s right. Trash talk gets you a sore jaw.