After a three-day break, the Boston Celtics are back in action Friday night at TD Garden, where they’ll face off against the Miami Heat-and this one’s got a little extra meaning behind it.
Not only are the Celtics looking to snap a two-game skid, but they’ll be doing it while sporting their City Edition jerseys and honoring one of the most electric players to wear green in recent memory: Isaiah Thomas.
As part of the team’s “Legendary Moments” campaign, the Celtics are celebrating Thomas’ unforgettable 52-point explosion against the Heat on December 30, 2016. That night wasn’t just special-it was iconic.
Thomas was in full takeover mode, torching Miami for 52 points on 15-of-26 shooting, including a blistering 9-of-13 from deep. He was perfect from the line, going 13-for-13, and even chipped in a couple of rebounds.
But it was the fourth quarter where he truly cemented his legacy.
Thomas dropped 29 points in the final frame alone-a franchise record for points in a single quarter-hitting clutch shot after clutch shot to carry the Celtics to a 117-114 win. That kind of late-game heroics didn’t earn him the nickname “King of the Fourth” for nothing.
The Celtics shared a tribute on social media Friday, welcoming Thomas back to the Garden with a reminder of that legendary night. And for fans who lived through that 2016-17 season, the memories come flooding back.
That year, Thomas wasn’t just good-he was playing at an MVP-caliber level. He averaged a career-best 28.9 points per game, earned his second All-Star nod, and finished fifth in the MVP voting. More importantly, he was the emotional and offensive engine that powered Boston to the playoffs.
Friday’s game is about more than just ending a losing streak. It’s a moment to reflect on a player who, for a time, carried the heart of the franchise on his shoulders-and did it with unmatched grit, flair, and fourth-quarter fire. Isaiah Thomas may not be suiting up tonight, but his legacy will be front and center at TD Garden.