Isaiah Thomas Signs with G League amid Celtics Rivalry Win

BOSTON, Mass. — Former Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas, who celebrated his 36th birthday last month, is making headlines again after signing with the Salt Lake City Stars, the G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz. Despite playing only 115 NBA games since the 2017-18 season, Thomas is determined to make one last push for a return to the NBA.

Through 11 games with the Stars, Thomas has impressed by averaging 29.6 points and 5.6 assists. He has openly expressed his desire to compete at the highest level one more time. Thomas’s relentless passion for basketball has not gone unnoticed by his former coaches.

“He’ll be playing in a gym somewhere when he’s 60 years old,” said Denver Nuggets coach Mike Malone. “I’ve been around the game a long time, and there’s not many players who love basketball more than IT.” Malone coached Thomas during his early career with the Sacramento Kings and during his time with the Nuggets.

Thomas’s work ethic has gained admiration from coaches and fans alike. “He’s playing the game because he loves it, and you really have to respect and admire that,” Malone added.

Meanwhile, the Celtics continue their regular season as the defending champions. However, the team is dealing with several injuries. Center Kristaps Porzingis sat out for the fifth consecutive game due to illness, while point guard Jrue Holiday returned after a four-game absence caused by an injured right pinky finger. Holiday has been managing a splint and is focused on pain tolerance for his recovery. Sam Hauser also made his return after missing one game due to an ankle sprain.

The Celtics faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night, emerging victorious with a score of 111-101, ending the Lakers’ eight-game winning streak. The game drew significant attention due to the teams’ successful seasons and the competitive addition of superstar Luka Doncic to the rivalry.

“It was a great energy game,” Celtics forward Jaylen Brown said. “This was not a normal regular-season game.” Both Brown and Jayson Tatum played major roles, with Tatum logging a career-high 40 minutes and contributing significantly to the win.

Despite leading by 21 points in the fourth quarter, the Celtics allowed the Lakers to draw close. A key moment occurred when the Lakers executed a 16-2 run, narrowing the score to 92-85 before LeBron James suffered an injury and exited the game.

Although Doncic led the Lakers with 34 points, the Celtics maintained control in the final minutes thanks to crucial three-pointers from Brown and Tatum. With this victory, the Celtics now have won 14 of 17 games, solidifying their position as a top contender.

The Celtics’ performance is particularly notable as they work to recover from earlier season struggles. Coach Joe Mazzulla noted, “I feel like there’s moments where you give those guys chances to be a part of that,” referring to the importance of rising to the occasion during rivalry games.

Looking ahead, the Celtics will need to ensure the health of all players, especially as playoff competition heats up. As for Thomas, the basketball world continues to watch his journey back to the NBA with great interest.