Thomas' Status Uncertain Following Hard Fall Against Heat
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Celtics are clinging to their playoff hopes with just over a month to go in the regular season, and they may have to make that postseason push with their best player hurting.
Isaiah Thomas took a mighty tumble onto the American Airlines Arena floor late in the fourth quarter of Monday night's 100-90 win over the Miami Heat, courtesy of a hard foul by Dwyane Wade. Thomas said it was the hardest he has even fallen, and wasn't sure if he would be able to finish the game after hitting his right elbow and tailbone.
But his teammates begged for him to keep going, in need of his fourth quarter scoring, so Thomas toughed it out for the final 3:44 of the tilt. Fittingly, he made a layup as he fell to the floor, and made the ensuing free throw to complete the three-point play. He drained a three pointer just over a minute later to push Boston's lead to 96-87, and finished the night with 25 points -- 12 of which came in the game's final frame.
"I was just telling myself the pain was only temporary," Thomas told reporters after the game, according to The Boston Globe. "If you don't think about it, you can get through some things."
While Thomas got through the fourth quarter, there is some concern about him playing Wednesday night when the Celtics host the Memphis Grizzlies. Thomas said he would play if he was able to run, but he plans to have X-rays on his tailbone on Tuesday. He'll likely be, at best, a game-time decision for Wednesday.
In 10 games since being acquired by Boston at the trade deadline, Thomas has provided instant offense to the Celtics lineup. He's given the team a spark off the bench, averaging 21.4 points per game, with Boston going 6-4 in that span.
The Celtics currently sit 10th in the Eastern Conference, two games behind the Charlotte Hornets for the eighth and final playoff spot.