Brad Stevens: Isaiah Thomas’ decision if he wants to play Game 2

Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens says it’s up to Isaiah Thomas if he decides to stay with the team or be with his family after the death of his sister.

Isaiah Thomas, the starting point guard for the Boston Celtics, might not play in Game 2 of the Celtics series vs. the Bulls. After a stellar performance tonight, it would be a shame to see Thomas not on the court for the second installment of the series. Thomas had 33 points, five rebounds, and six assists tonight against the Chicago Bulls. He played a staggering 38 minutes tonight and was a +12 BPM when he was on the floor for the Celtics tonight.

It was shocking for some to see Isaiah back on the floor tonight. His sister died in a car accident this weekend and Brad Stevens, his coach, wasn’t even sure Thomas would be ready to play in Game 1.

Stevens has given the ultimate control of Thomas’s destiny to the one who should control it: Thomas. No matter what Thomas decides to do, it is the right decision and shouldn’t be second-guessed.

If Thomas does indeed decide not the play, the Celtics will have a tough time on Tuesday night when the play the Bulls yet again. Marcus Smart would start in place of Thomas. The one issue with that substitution is that Smart can’t replicate what Thomas does on the floor.

The Celtics have relied so heavily on Thomas’s scoring ability over the entire season that they are lost without him. Smart does not have the same playmaking ability that Thomas does either. He is a great defender (unlike Thomas) but he isn’t at the same playmaking level that Thomas is at. Finally, who take the final shot? If the Celtics need a go-ahead shot on Tuesday or need a game winner, who will they look to?

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It would be in the Celtics best interest if Thomas plays, but whatever decision he makes is the correct one.