Isaiah Thomas played for the Boston Celtics in the 2017 playoffs. His sister Chyna died the day before Boston opened the playoffs against the Chicago Bulls. He still played in Game 1. He was also playing through a torn hip labrum.
In late August 2017 the Celtics traded him to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a deal for the All-Star Kyrie Irving. Thomas said he had been traded by “the franchise that I scratched and clawed for, and bled for.” Later he called it “a business move by a business man.” He added: “You learn in this game and this business that there is no loyalty.”