Celtics’ Thomas plays day after sister’s death

Isaiah Thomas took the floor to a deafening cheer for the Celtics’ playoff opener against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday night in Boston, just a day after his sister was killed in a car accident.

The Celtics held a pregame moment of silence for Chyna Thomas, who died early Saturday in a one-car interstate accident in their home state of Washington. She was 22. The Celtics’ AllStar guard was informed of her death after the team’s practice Saturday afternoon.

Before the game, TNT’s cameras captured teammate Avery Bradley comforting Thomas on the bench during the pregame shootaround. But Thomas led the team out of the tunnel when Boston took the floor for pregame warmups.

He looked toward the rafters just before the tip-off.

On his shoes were written “Chyna” and “I love you.”

Condolences have poured in from around the league, from NBA commissioner Adam Silver and various players and friends. Thomas, in his sixth season, grew up in Tacoma, Wash., and starred at the University of Washington.

“He’s struggling,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said before the game.

“Obviously, it’s tragic circumstances that he and his family are going through right now. Our thoughts, first and foremost are with them.”

Celtics center Al Horford said everyone is just trying to give Thomas space right now. He expected Sunday’s game to be an emotional experience for his teammate.