Boston Celtics
Celtics Continue to Tread Water as Isaiah Thomas Eyes NBA Comeback
The Boston Celtics’ early season dominance feels like a distant memory. After cruising to a 16-3 start to the 2024-25 campaign, the team has stumbled a bit since the calendar flipped to 2025. With a 16-11 record over their last 27 games, Boston has been far from the juggernaut we’ve come to expect. Recent results have been a mixed bag, as the Celtics head into the final stretch of the regular season at 6-4 over their last 10 games.
The team’s latest defeat came Thursday at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers, a 117-96 loss that raised more questions than answers. However, the Celtics showed resilience just two days later. In a Finals rematch with the Dallas Mavericks, Boston bounced back with a 122-107 victory, led by a familiar trio: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White, who combined for a whopping 69 points.
Despite a recent rough patch, it’s clear the Celtics’ core remains formidable. Tatum and Brown continue to carry the load, and Derrick White has established himself as an integral piece of the puzzle. But there’s another story brewing off the court that might just grab Celtics fans’ attention: a former star guard is making his return to the NBA.
Isaiah Thomas’ Road Back to the NBA
Isaiah Thomas, a beloved figure in Boston, is on the path back to the NBA. After a successful four-game stint in the G League last season with the Salt Lake City Stars, the former Celtics guard has signed a deal with the Jazz’s G League affiliate in hopes of re-establishing his NBA credentials.
At 36 years old, Thomas isn’t backing down from the challenge. His G League performance last year was nothing short of impressive, as he averaged 32.5 points, 5.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. While his late-season call-up to the Phoenix Suns resulted in limited action, it showed that he’s still got plenty of gas left in the tank.
For Celtics fans, it’s hard not to reminisce about Thomas’ iconic time in Boston. The height of his powers came during the 2016-17 season, when he led the Celtics with 28.9 points and 5.9 assists per game, carrying them to the top seed in the Eastern Conference. That year, Thomas delivered unforgettable moments, including a legendary 53-point game against the Washington Wizards in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. On that night, Thomas scored 29 points in the fourth quarter alone, just days after the tragic death of his sister, Chyna.
Unfortunately, that season would be his last as the centerpiece of Boston’s offense. A right femoral-acetabular impingement and labral tear in the Eastern Conference Finals derailed his career, and Thomas has bounced around the league ever since. Despite never playing more than 40 games in a season following that injury, his desire to continue playing has never wavered.
What’s Next for the Celtics?
As Boston moves forward in a competitive East, the team’s recent form raises questions about its ceiling. With Tatum, Brown, and White locked in as the core, the Celtics will need to build some momentum heading into the postseason. But the emergence of former fan favorite Thomas as a G League success story is a reminder of the Celtics’ rich history and their ability to develop talent.
Will the Celtics take a chance on a reunion with their former star, or will he find his way back to an NBA roster through another team? Time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: Thomas’ story isn’t over, and his journey back to the big leagues could be just the spark the NBA needs.
In the meantime, Celtics fans will continue to hope their team can find its footing once again, and maybe, just maybe, see the return of a familiar face on the court.
