Boston Celtics
“The LOVE in bean town is crazy!!!” Thomas wrote on X.
Isaiah Thomas received a long standing ovation from the crowd during Friday’s game against the Heat. AP Photo/Charles Krupa
December 20, 2025 | 7:43 AM
3 minutes to read
Isaiah Thomas only played three seasons with the Celtics, but his impact was immeasurable during a unique era for Boston basketball.
The organization welcomed the guard back to TD Garden, this time as a guest. The Celtics sat Thomas, 36, courtside next to new owner Bill Chisholm during Friday’s game against the Heat.
Boston seemingly intentionally chose to invite Thomas to this matchup as it was celebrating his historic 52-point performance against Miami at home on Dec. 30, 2016, as part of their “Legendary Moments” series this season. Thomas scored 29 of his points in the fourth quarter, which further solidified his “King of the Fourth” nickname at the time.
While being honored, accompanied by a video tribute during Friday’s game, Thomas pointed to his wrist, a callback to his nickname. During his Celtics tenure, he would point to his wrist when he caught fire during the fourth quarter, signaling that it was time for him to take over the game and win it for Boston.
Perhaps Thomas’s presence helped propel the Celtics to their 129-116 victory. He was shown on the jumbotron in the fourth quarter to help hype the crowd up amid a close game, a nod to his past fourth-quarter heroics in that very building.
Thomas received a loud, lengthy standing ovation from the TD Garden crowd earlier in the night. Fans remember him for his clutch gene and lovable personality on and off the court when he played for the team from 2014-17. Former NBC Sports Boston color commentator Tommy Heinsohn would refer to Thomas as “The Little Guy” as he stands at 5-foot-9.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla said he was glad the organization hosted Thomas on Friday, and gave glowing remarks about him as a person and a basketball player after the game.
“I thought it was a great gesture to have I.T. back. I mean, he’s done so much for the city and really for the organization,” Mazzulla said. “I came right at the tail end of him being here, but just who he was as a person and a player just says a lot about him. He sets an example of, yes, it’s about winning, but also when you’re a high character guy, people appreciate you when you’re able to leave the place kind of a little better than you found it.”
Joe Mazzulla on having Isaiah Thomas back at the TD Garden tonight:
“Outside of the fact I couldn’t hear in the timeout, I thought it was a great gesture to have IT back. He’s done so much for the city.”
–@CLNSMedia pic.twitter.com/2l7eBx74he
— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) December 20, 2025
NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin nabbed a mid-game interview with Thomas in which the player spoke highly of Jaylen Brown, who has taken over Tatum’s leadership role on the parquet while he recovers from a torn Achilles.
Isaiah Thomas on playing with a young Jaylen Brown:
“I would be lying if I said I thought he would be where he is right now… it’s so dope to see him now as an All-Star, Finals MVP, NBA champion… I’m like a proud big brother.” pic.twitter.com/UH1YuTrNfY
— SleeperCeltics (@SleeperCeltics) December 20, 2025
“It’s amazing,” Thomas said of Brown’s ascension since their lone season playing together when Brown was a rookie in 2016-17. “I would be lying if I said I would think he would be where he is right now. But you’ve seen the potential of where he could be. And it’s so dope to see him out as an All-Star, Finals MVP, NBA champion. He’s really leading the group … I couldn’t see this far down the road (when the pair were teammates), but I’m like a proud big brother seeing him just succeed in the role and being able to take it to heights that I don’t think anybody [thought] he would be able to take it to.”
Once the night was over, Thomas took a moment to thank the fans for showering him with love. He shared this message on X and even threw up a heave about rejoining the team:
The LOVE in bean town is crazy!!! Just sign me at the end of season 😂
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) December 20, 2025
Thomas may be joking, as he has a history of asking NBA teams on social media to sign him when he’s a free agent. However, he recently told TMZ Sports that he wants to “play one more” season before hanging up his shoes for good.
He played for the Phoenix Suns in 2023-24, but has yet to play in the league since. Thomas also went unsigned during the 2022-23 campaign.
“I’m staying ready,” Thomas said earlier this month. “Staying in contact with a few teams, but just playing it by ear, making sure I stay ready.”
Kaley BrownSports producer
Kaley Brown is a sports producer for Boston.com, where she covers the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox.
Get the latest Boston sports news
Receive updates on your favorite Boston teams, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
Comments are closed.