The 2018 NBA season began on Tuesday night for the Cleveland Cavaliers with the arrival of Mighty Mouse, The Lil Giant, Lil Uzi — Isaiah Thomas. When he checked in, the crowd went bonkers and the 2017 MVP contender blessed them with 17 points in 19 minutes in a 127-110 Cleveland win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
clevelanddotcom on Twitter
Isaiah Thomas debuts, scores 17 points and the Cavaliers end their skid with a 127-110 win over the Blazers! Photo: Gus Chan, The Plain Dealer.
Isaiah Thomas on Twitter
Cleveland, thank you!!!! Tonight was a very special night for me and y’all made it what it was with the love y’all showed me when I checked in the game. I will always remember tonight. Now let’s keep building, this is only the beginning! #ThatSLOWgrind
LeBron James has been holding it down without his No. 2 scoring option, who has been recovering from a hip injury since May 19th, 2017. Cleveland has gone 24-12 The Cavs have held it down without Thomas, but now as the playoffs approach, the addition of a guy who averaged nearly 30 points a game last season undoubtedly puts Cleveland back in control as favorites to win the Eastern Conference.
NBA TV’s Chris Weber asked I.T. how it felt to play with King James and his court.
“You look down, you see Bron, D Wade and Kevin Love and say man, “This is like an All-star team…I’m excited for this opportunity because I know it’s going to be special.”
Thomas is fully committed to playing in Cleveland and you know he cant wait to meet the team that traded him for Kyrie Irving after he led them to the Eastern Conference regular season title and played his heart out, despite losing his sister in a tragic car accident. For now, he is just riding the high of being back on the court and relevant again.
Isaiah Thomas on Twitter
Damn that felt good!!! God is so good. Truly blessed to be able to be on the court again competing for something. Great team win and thank you for all the love and support during these tough 7 months that I’ve been out.
The entire NBA was anticipating the return of I.T. After the game he got plenty of Twitter love from his colleagues.
Jamal Crawford on Twitter
Welcome back my brother @isaiahthomas. One of the very few i know that would never turn down a run, anytime, anywhere!! #truehooper
Evan Turner on Twitter
Welcome back, hoop god @isaiahthomas
While most fans celebrated Thomas return, he also got into a little Twitter spat with hockey journalist Jimmy Murphy who suggested that Thomas was a primadonna and had an ego the size of the nugget Offset gave Cardi B when they got engaged.
Isaiah Thomas on Twitter
Get over myself huh? Because I would like to actually PLAY & have my family in the arena to appreciate the LOVE the city/organization will show US? It ain’t about me it’s about my family… Ha you get over yourself you dumbass https://t.co/LiqeXUVTwD
Theres no truer indication that Thomas is relevant again and setting the stage for some major drama down the NBA stretch. Thomas’ response also showed how competitive he is. He takes that “don’t give a F” attitude onto the court every time he laces up.
All of a sudden analysts and fans are seeing a team that is capable of dethroning the mighty Golden State Warriors. Is it possible that 5-foot-9 Isaiah Thomas is the most important player in the game right now? The Wild Card to NBA championship glory? We will find out soon enough.
Welcome back I.T.
