Thomas planning to play in Game 2

Celtics coach Brad Stevens said Isaiah Thomas plans to play in Game 2 of the first-round Eastern Conference series against the Bulls on Tuesday night, then head to Washington state to be with his family and help complete funeral arrangements for his sister.

Chyna Thomas, 22, died early Saturday in a one-car accident outside Tacoma. No funeral date is set, but Stevens said the Celtics plan to attend.

“It’s really tough when he’s sitting there and some of his family is in Seattle,” Stevens said. “But the next extension of your family is who you’re around every day. They care about one another and support one another. That’s what you hope you have in a team.”

Thomas played in Game 1 on Sunday and attended a film session and walkthrough Monday but did not speak with the media. Stevens said that after services for Thomas’ sister, the star guard intends to rejoin the team Friday for Game 3 in Chicago. Stevens, however, stressed that all plans are up to Thomas.

One of Thomas’ closest friends on the team is guard Avery Bradley. The two grew up outside Seattle and played AAU ball together.

During Monday’s shootaround, TV cameras captured Bradley comforting a tearful Thomas on the bench.

“Me and Isaiah have known each other since we were kids,” Bradley said. “So no matter what goes on we’re always going to have each other’s back. I think he knows that, and I know the same about him.

“We’re a family. I think our actions really let him know that we care for him. As brothers, that’s what you’re supposed to do.”

Lowry eyes turnaround:

Kyle Lowry is experiencing playoff deja vu.

The Raptors All-Star guard said his latest Game 1 failure feels even worse than those that came before. Lowry scored four points in Saturday’s 97-83 loss to the Bucks, connecting on just two of his 11 field-goal attempts and finishing 0for-6 from 3-point range.

“Every shot I took was contested or run off,” he said.

Lowry sounded defiant about his plan of attack for Tuesday’s Game 2.

“My teammates want me to be more aggressive, so I’m going to have to force some more shots,” he said. “Simple as that.”