Celtics Honor Recent Legend With Basketball Lifetime Achievement Award
Former Boston Celtics star Isaiah Thomas was back in town this week, and now fans know why.
Thomas was in Boston for The Tradition, a fundraising event that honors local sports legends. On Tuesday, he received the Basketball Lifetime Achievement Award from The Sports Museum — TD Garden’s Boston sports museum.
Thomas was grateful for the award on social media, sharing his appreciation through several posts on X.
“Thank you Boston, I’ll always remember tonight (green heart emoji),” said one. “Boston, I appreciate all the love and support,” said another, alongside a picture of the event.
Thomas only spent two and a half seasons with the Celtics before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Kyrie Irving blockbuster, but he was still one of the franchise’s most memorable and impactful players in recent memory. He had the best years of his career in Boston, earning both of his All-Star nods there and briefly transforming into one of the NBA’s best players despite being one of the smallest players in the league.
The diminutive point guard helped lead the Celtics to three straight playoff berths from 2015 to 2017, bridging the gap from the “Big Three” era to the Jayson Tatum/Jaylen Brown era. He peaked during the 2016-17 campaign, averaging a career-high 28.9 points per game and finishing fifth in the NBA MVP race.
Now 36, Thomas spent a dozen years in the NBA but hasn’t played in the Association since the 2023-24 season. He hasn’t officially retired, however, and currently plays for the Salt Lake City Stars in the G League.