Isaiah Thomas has erased any and all doubts about him being a superstar.
Just one game after losing a tooth, Thomas dropped a playoff career-high 53 points - including a remarkable 29 points in the fourth quarter and overtime - to lead the Boston Celtics to a 129-119 overtime win over the Washington Wizards. That gives them a 2-0 lead in the series.
Down by double-digits for most of the third quarter, Thomas put forth a performance for the ages in the final 17 minutes. His 53-point performance is the most a player has scored in a playoff game since Allen Iverson scored 55 in 2003.
Isaiah Thomas with 51 points (and counting). NBD. #Celtics pic.twitter.com/s9eHnFb8Ut
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 3, 2017
Early on, the Wizards were in complete control. Led by John Wall (40 points, 13 assists), Washington jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first quarter for the second straight game, largely thanks to a franchise playoff-record 42 points in the first quarter.
Watch Wall Work.
— NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2017
He's got 19 & 6 after 1. @WashWizards lead @celtics 42-29 on @NBAonTNT.
Isaiah: 15 PTS. pic.twitter.com/NkSihg4Bw4
Boston answered and cut the deficit to a single possession, trailing 67-64 at the break, but they weren't quite able to get over the hump. The Wizards went on a 10-0 run and re-gained a double-digit edge, something they held until an 18-8 run from Boston gave them the lead with seven minutes to play.
IT Time pic.twitter.com/gPmAWH4a5r
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 3, 2017
Isaiah Thomas reached out and snatched Markieff Morris' soul with this move #ItsNotLuck #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/rQ9t6K2UmF
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) May 3, 2017
Of course, Washington would have an answer. An 9-0 run gave the Wizards a 110-104 lead with 3:09 to play, yet the Celtics managed to tie the game after back-to-back threes. As the two sides went back and forth, Isaiah Thomas made two free throws in the closing moments to send the game to overtime before taking over in the extra frame.
Thomas was helped by a double-double from Al Horford (15 points, 12 rebounds) and 12 points, six rebounds and four assists from Terry Rozier off the bench. Both players made huge plays down the stretch to both force overtime and secure the win.
Six other players scored in double figures for the Wizards to help Wall, including Marcin Gortat (14 points, 10 rebounds) and Markieff Morris (16 points, six rebounds) - but none of them were really able to have a tangible impact on the game late.
Game 3 of this series will be on Thursday in Washington, DC. Tip-off is set for 8:00 pm ET on ESPN.
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