Isaiah Thomas honors late sister with message on his shoes (Photo)

Isaiah Thomas is playing with a heavy heart after the sudden death of his sister in a car accident.

Boston Celtics point guard and MVP candidate Isaiah Thomas is playing today as his team begins their playoff series against the Chicago Bulls. From the outside looking in, there was a question if Thomas would even play today after his sister Chyna was killed in a one-car accident in Washington on Saturday.

Thomas led his team onto the court and was surrounded by his teammates who consoled and supported him in the wake of this tragic news. Thomas wrote Chyna on his shoes with the date of her death on the other and a message saying, “RIP Lil Sis.” to make sure his sister is with him in spirit.

Like the caption from ESPN’s tweet said, this is bigger than basketball and the basketball community is rallying around Thomas as he mourns the sudden passing of his sister. The NBA is a brotherhood, so Thomas will have the support from current and former players as he begins the grieving process.

Basketball can serve as a sanctuary and a place to escape the pain and heartbreak he and his family are currently experiencing. I think a lot of casual NBA fans will be rooting for Thomas and the Celtics in the NBA Playoffs.

Thomas was feeling it early in the opening quarter against the Bulls as the home crowd was as loud as they may have been all season. Chants of M-V-P hailed down from the rafters as Thomas undoubtedly had to have his heart lifted.

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You can watch Thomas and the Celtics in Game 1 of their first round series against the Bulls on TNT. Game 2 of the best-of-seven series will be on Tuesday evening.