After the Boston Celtics dug themselves out of a 2-0 series hole against the Chicago Bulls in the first round last year’s playoffs, Isaiah Thomas was forced to leave the team to attend his sister’s funeral in Tacoma, Wash.
She tragically passed away in a car accident on the even of Thomas and the Celtics taking the court for Game 1. While grieving, Thomas used the playoff games as a means to temporarily escape from tragedy.
He returned for the start of the Eastern Conference semifinals, and propelled Boston to a series win over the Washington Wizards in seven games.