The Cleveland Cavaliers made their first trip of the season to Boston last night but because it was the Cavs' second game of a back-to-back, Isaiah Thomas didn't take the court against his former team.
The Celtics had originally prepared a video package in honor of Thomas, but he requested that they save it for a later date when his family will be in attendance and he'll actually be able to play. That said, the Celtics weren't going to let the All-Star point guard return to the TD Garden without showing him some love.
During the brief intermission between the first and second quarters, Thomas was put on the big screen and, as expected, he received a standing ovation from the sold out crowd.
The 28-year old point guard missed the first 36 games of the season while recovering from a torn labrum in his hip but made his Cavs debut on Tuesday night against the Blazers. He will be on a minutes restriction for at least the first few games, which is why the team opted not to play him on the second game of a back-to-back, even though it was his much anticipated return to Beantown. The Celtics went on to win 102-88.
The Cavaliers only play in Boston one more time this season, on February 11th, which is when the Celtics will hold Paul Pierce's jersey retirement ceremony. At 25-13, Cleveland is currently sitting in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference, 4.5 games back of the 31-10 Celtics.