Grief-stricken IT heads home

Isaiah Thomas left for Tacoma, Wash., yesterday to finally join his family following the weekend death of his younger sister, Chyna, in a car crash.

Thomas released a statement, his first public words since the tragedy.

“I never could have imagined a day where my little sister, Chyna, wouldn’t be here,” Thomas said. “She and my family are everything to me, so the pain I am feeling right now is impossible to put into words. This has been without question the hardest week of my life. At the same time, I have been overwhelmed by the love and support that I have received and couldn’t be more thankful for my friends, family, fans, the City of Boston, Celtics organization and NBA community. I truly appreciate all the support you’ve shown me in the past several days and thank you for respecting my privacy as I continue to grieve and heal with my loved ones at this time.”

Coach Brad Stevens said that based on his last conversation with Thomas, funeral arrangements remain incomplete, and that for now the player is simply spending time with his family for the first time since the accident.

It’s clear to Stevens and the other players that this emotional weight is draining Thomas, who has not missed a practice or game. That may change tomorrow, with the Celtics tentatively scheduled to hold a practice at the United Center after arriving in Chicago for Friday’s Game 3 against the Bulls, who lead the Eastern Conference firstround playoff series 2-0.

“This is really hard, this is super hard on Isaiah, you can tell,” Stevens said during a conference call yesterday. “During the games and walkthroughs, he’s trying his very best to focus. (Basketball) can be a guy’s sanctuary. That’s what the gym is for Isaiah. It alleviates the pain for a couple of hours. We are here to support him in any which way we can. It’s tough, a challenge, but it’s what we’re supposed to do.”

Though Thomas’ plans are open-ended, his intention has been to rejoin the team for Game 3. Though Avery Bradley has considered flying out to Tacoma, which is also his hometown, Stevens said the lack of service plans means the team, minus Thomas, will fly to Chicago.

Smart in fine mess

Marcus Smart was fined $25,000 by the NBA for making an obscene gesture midway through the fourth quarter of the Game 2 loss at the Garden.

Smart was backpedaling down the floor after hitting a 3-pointer when he held out what appeared to be his middle finger, before pointing at someone in the end zone section and blowing them a kiss.

“I’ve been told of a gesture and saw a brief clip,” Stevens said before the fine was issued. “If he made the gesture, that’s unacceptable, and will be dealt with by the league.”

It was a rough night for Smart, like his teammates. At one stage, after barreling into a group of three Bulls and putting up a wild shot, Thomas started shouting at Smart from across the court for his poor shot choice.

Change in air

Stevens, without saying whether he would actually change anything in his rotation, said changes are indeed being considered for Game 3.

“You have to consider them, no question about it, especially with the way the first two games have gone,” Stevens said. “You have to be better with your possessions. We haven’t done that and they have. So we have to consider everything.”

One possible change could involve Amir Johnson’s starting spot. Largely ineffective in the series, Johnson only played nine minutes in Game 2. . . .

What the Celtics have seen from the Bulls defensively isn’t unique. Chicago is loading up on Thomas just as heavily as the Atlanta Hawks did last postseason.

“Just overloading on the ball,” Stevens said. “They’re playing real well on the defensive end. They’re playing with great effort. Against that, you have to hit your shots.”