Sunday featured one of the most emotional NBA playoff openers in recent memory, as Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas took the court one day after learning that his younger sister had passed away in a car accident.
Many doubted whether Thomas would play, but word came out a few hours beforehand that Thomas was going to suit up for Game 1 against the Bulls.
After a tear-filled pregame, Thomas went out and put up a terrific game -- 33 points, six assists and five rebounds -- while nearly bringing the Celtics back in the final seconds of a 106-102 loss. After the game, LeBron James remarked on Thomas' incredible performance, and offered his condolences.
LeBron James sends his sympathies to Isaiah Thomas: “He was unbelievable in [Game 1].” (via @mcten) pic.twitter.com/kZKcD6LEBZ
— Chris Forsberg (@ESPNForsberg) April 17, 2017
"I didn't get an opportunity to actually send my condolences out to him and his family. But my deepest sympathy and prayers goes up to him and his mother, his father, whoever is in his life. ... Obviously our world is kind of revolved around basketball, but like I said who cares about basketball when something like this happens? It's a sick feeling," LeBron said, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
"I don't have any siblings, but I have some very, very close people in my life and I can only imagine how that would take your heart away. Especially at a time like this. And he was unbelievable in the game, too, by the way."
There's really nothing more to say about Thomas and his ability to play as well as he did on Sunday, and it's great to see that pretty much the entire NBA community has rallied around him during this heartbreaking time.