Thomas: Celtics 'not the hardest-playing team' anymore

Thanks to one of the NBA's stingiest defenses, the Boston Celtics stood as one of the league's most surprising teams in 2015-16, finishing fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 48-34 record.

Things have been much different to begin 2016-17, as Boston's 30th-ranked defense has played a major part in their 3-4 start.

Point guard Isaiah Thomas has noticed a change in the Celtics' toughness this season, noting Boston has lost its edge from the last campaign.

"(Basketball is about) playing hard. It's leaving it all out there on the floor. That's who we were," Thomas told ESPN's Chris Forsberg. "That's what made us one of the best defensive teams in the league. That's what made us win 48 games last year. We have to find that swag, we gotta get that back. Because, if we don't, it seems like we're going off talent, which we really don't have that much talent, including myself."

The Celtics' defensive struggles continued Wednesday, as Boston allowed the offensively challenged Washington Wizards to score a season-high 118 points.

"It's frustrating. It's tough. We're in a bad funk right now," Thomas said. "We can't hold our heads. One thing I think is, we're not the hardest-playing team no more. I think that's what made us special, that's what made us good, us playing harder than the other team. Being more scrappier, getting all the loose balls. Rebounds don't come to us no more because we're not playing hard."

Boston will looks to bounce back Friday, when they face the New York Knicks at TD Garden.