The Boston Celtics suffered a lopsided loss Tuesday, but the most pressing matter after the game wasn’t the scoreboard.
Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas twisted his ankle early in the fourth quarter of his team’s Game 5 loss to the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. He immediately left the game, was diagnosed with a mild left ankle sprain and did not return.
Thomas appeared to land awkwardly on his left ankle after making a layup at the 10:25 mark of the fourth quarter. He committed an intentional foul on Atlanta’s next possession and jogged to the locker room with a noticeable limp.
Thomas admitted he initially tweaked the ankle in the fourth quarter of Boston’s Game 4 win and aggravated the injury Tuesday night. But the 5-foot-9 guard was adamant he’ll be on the floor for the Celtics’ must-win Game 6 on Thursday.
“I’m great,” Thomas said in postgame interview aired on CSN New England. “Ready for Game 6. I’ll play no matter what. I’m not going to sit out.”
Initial postgame reports indicated Thomas’ injury might not be too serious.
It nonetheless was a rough night overall for Thomas, who scored a season-low seven points on 3-of-12 shooting and committed three turnovers.
Thumbnail photo via Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports Images
