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After Isaiah Thomas played his first NBA game in two years for the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, Kevin Durant had nothing but praise for his new teammate.
Speaking to reporters after the Suns’ 115-102 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, Durant said Thomas’ story and career had “inspired basketball players around the world.”
Gerald Bourguet @Gerald Bourget
“The story he has, his career that he has had has inspired basketball players around the world.”
Kevin Durant said he has known Isaiah Thomas since he was 17 and has been the same worker ever since. . KD thinks the work ethic is rubbing off on the Suns: pic.twitter.com/OT0NYARUYW
The Suns sign Thomas signed a 10-day contract earlier today. He averaged 32.5 points per game on 44.6 percent three-point shooting during a recent four-game stint with the Salt Lake City Stars in the G League.
Thomas had not played in the NBA since the 2021-22 season for the Charlotte Hornets. He also played with the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks during this season.
The Washington alum has an incredible story. He was the final pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, but immediately emerged as an important role player for the Sacramento Kings.
After a stint with the Suns early in the 2014-15 season, Thomas was traded to the Boston Celtics midway through the year. He became one of the best playmakers in the league, making the All-Star team in back-to-back years in 2015-16 and 2016-17.
A hip injury suffered in the 2017 Eastern Conference Finals derailed Thomas’ career. He was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in August 2017 as part of the Kyrie Irving deal, but hip issues limited him to 15 games and he never meshed well with LeBron James.
Thomas bounced around the league with several different teams over the next few years. His longest stint with a single franchise since being traded by the Celtics was a 40-game run with the Washington Wizards in 2019-20.
Wednesday was Thomas’ first NBA game since April 10, 2022. He was on the floor for just two minutes against the Sixers, but he recorded an assist in the victory.
The Suns need more punch off the bench as they look to secure a playoff spot. Thomas is a limited player at this point in his career, but he is more than capable of providing points off the bench when his number is called.
