5 memorable moments from Thomas' tenure with Celtics
After an eventful 2016-17 campaign in which All-Star Isaiah Thomas not only had a career year, but established himself as one of the Association's top offensive players, he now finds himself shipping out of Boston after being dealt by the Celtics to the enemy Cleveland Cavaliers.
Thomas was only with the organization for roughly two-and-a-half-seasons, but that's all the time he needed to leave his mark in Celtics lore. He won over the masses with his pitbull-like approach to the game and the chip on his shoulder thanks to being a 5-foot-9 guard selected dead last in 2011.
Here's a look at five moments from Thomas' run in green and white that we won't soon forget:
Thomas goes behind his head to find Crowder
Good luck explaining how Thomas pulled off a no-look, behind-the-head dish to the corner while being swarmed by lengthy defenders.
Thomas has earned a reputation as being a fourth-quarter assassin, and exploited that by drawing in the defense late against the Milwaukee Bucks to feed an open Jae Crowder for an all-important 3-pointer in February 2016.
Thomas explodes for 29 in 4th quarter vs. Heat, finishes with 52
Before Dec. 30, 2016, it had been 30 years since a Celtics player hit the 50-point mark, with the great Larry Bird dropping 60 back in 1985.
On this night, Thomas was a man possessed against the visiting Miami Heat. His final line was all the more impressive considering it was on the second night of a back-to-back, with Boston having played in Cleveland the night prior.
Thomas went 15-of-26 from the field and 9-of-13 from behind the arc, and his 29 points in the final 12 minutes also set a franchise record.
Thomas buries Hawks in final seconds
The little guy knew how to come up big when it mattered most.
With the score locked at 101 apiece at Philips Arena in January, Thomas didn't shy away from the moment while defended by Hawks swingman Kent Bazemore. He waved off a time-out by head coach Brad Stevens to drill a step-back jumper in Bazemore's eye that gave the Celtics the lead and eventual win.
"The King in the Fourth" had done it again.
Thomas scores 33 points a day after sister's death
Tragedy struck Thomas and his family in early April when his sister, Chyna, was killed in a car accident.
With the loss still fresh in his mind, Thomas mustered the strength to take the floor in Boston's playoff opener against the Chicago Bulls just one day after the fact, with his sister's name, "RIP Lil Sis," and "I love you" written on his shoes.
Thomas honors sister on her birthday with 53-point outing
"Today's my sister's birthday. She would have been 23 today. So the least I can do is go out there and play for her," Thomas said after Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Washington Wizards.
"It just wasn't a good day for me, with it being my sister's birthday and being in the hospital for three or four hours (his mouth was swollen). But once I was around the guys and being in the arena, I felt I could go. No way I couldn't play on her birthday. I wanted to win for her and I wanted to play well for her."
With 53 points, Thomas helped lift the Celtics to an overtime victory.