Boston Celtic Isaiah Thomas’ 22-year-old sister Chyna was killed in a single-car accident in Tacoma, Washington, early Saturday morning, according to KIRO7 news.
The tragedy struck as he was looking forward to the start of the NBA playoffs. Washington State Trooper Nick King told The News Tribune that witnesses saw a 1998 Toyota Camry being driven normally but then “all of a sudden it started to drift very casually onto the left shoulder.”
The car veered partially off the roadway until it hit a Jersey barrier. “That vaulted the vehicle head-on into the sign post,” said King, adding that the driver wasn’t wearing a seat belt. Chyna was pronounced dead on the scene.
ESPN’s Jeff Goodman reports that the NBA point guard was notified of his sister’s death following Saturday afternoon practice, saying that Thomas was talking with a reporter when teammate Avery Bradley emerged from the trainer’s room and pulled him aside. ESPN said Thomas is on the roster to play in in Sunday’s first-round playoff against the Chicago Bulls.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement: “The NBA family mourns the tragic passing of Chyna Thomas and we send our deepest condolences to Isaiah, his family and the Celtics organization during this difficult time.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released the following statement regarding the passing of Chyna Thomas, sister of Isaiah Thomas of the Celtics. pic.twitter.com/iPOFte2jzM
— NBA (@NBA) April 16, 2017