Isaiah Thomas on how Kobe reached out after sister passed before Boston Celtics playoffs

TL;DR

Isaiah Thomas shared how Kobe Bryant reached out with condolences after his sister's tragic passing before the 2017 NBA playoffs. Thomas recalled Kobe's encouragement to play and honor his sister's memory during that difficult time.

Key points

Isaiah Thomas's sister passed away before the 2017 NBA playoffs.
Kobe Bryant reached out to Thomas with condolences and encouragement.
Thomas felt basketball helped him cope with his grief.

Mentioned in this story

Isaiah ThomasKobe Bryant

Chyna ThomasBoston Celtics

The rivalry between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers transcends eras, but the brotherhood of the NBA transcends even that. And we saw as much after the tragic passing of the sister of Celtics fan favorite Isaiah Thomas, Chyna, who lost her life in a car accident just as Thomas was about to kick off his last playoff run with Boston. IT opened up about how Lakers legend Kobe Bryant reached out to him once the news had broken with the 2017 postseason looming in a recent interview with Anderson Cooper on the semi-eponymous CNN Podcast "All There Is with Anderson Cooper." "It was like the most numb moments I've ever had," he recalled. "I wanted to go be with my family to try to help them out, but I remember talking to my dad that night and he's like, ‘You know what your sister would want you to do. She would want you to play. And you coming home isn't going to do anything right now.’"

Apr 16, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) gets a hug from guard Avery Bradley (0) after hitting a shot against the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports "So many people were texting and reaching out to me," he added. "Kobe Bryant sent me a long text, condolences. 'Sorry to hear the news.' But at the end of the text, he said, 'If you are going to play, there's no excuses. And you're going to be who you always been.'"

Q&A

What did Kobe Bryant say to Isaiah Thomas after his sister's death?

Kobe Bryant sent Isaiah Thomas a text expressing condolences and urged him to play without excuses, emphasizing that his sister would want him to be himself on the court.

How did Isaiah Thomas cope with his sister's passing during the playoffs?

Isaiah Thomas coped by focusing on basketball, as it provided him a temporary escape from his grief, despite feeling mentally unprepared on the day of the game.

What was the impact of Kobe Bryant's message on Isaiah Thomas?

Kobe Bryant's message had a significant impact, motivating Isaiah Thomas to play and honor his sister's memory, reinforcing the brotherhood within the NBA.