Emotional Isaiah Thomas says he is playing for his sister

Isaiah Thomas enjoyed a historical performance in Tuesday night’s Game 2 win at home against the Washington Wizards and said he is doing it for his late sister.

Thomas played a game to remember as he scored 53 points while leading Boston to a 129-119 overtime win. The Celtics guard was 18 of 33 from the field and 12 of 13 on free throws. What’s more is that Thomas did it all despite having pain in his mouth from oral surgery a day earlier, and pain in his heart because of his sister’s recent death.

In an on-court interview with TNT after the game, Thomas said he continues to play because his sister would have wanted him to.

Celtics' Isaiah Thomas in emotional TNT walk-off interview: "My sister wouldn't want me to stop… Once I leave this gym, she's not here." pic.twitter.com/HFdXJYDKWb

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 3, 2017

“Once I leave this gym, I hit reality, and she’s not here. So that’s the tough part. But when I’m in this arena, I can lock in and I know everything I do is for her,” Thomas told TNT’s David Aldridge.

The special part about Thomas’ epic 53-point game is that it came on what would have been sister Chyna’s 23rd birthday.

Celtics' Isaiah Thomas on his 53 points: "Today is my sister's birthday. She would have been 23 today. The least I could do is play for her" pic.twitter.com/SiCQsM1xZe

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 3, 2017

The young woman was killed during a highway accident in Washington on April 15.