Officially, Isaiah Thomas is questionable for Wednesday night’s Denver game against Sacramento.
That is an upgrade over where he has been all season as he recovered from hip surgery 11 months ago, and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported the day before he could play Wednesday night.
Asked about it after shootaround on Wednesday, Thomas said it would be a game-time decision.
Isaiah Thomas on whether he will play tonight: “It’ll be a game time decision. I haven’t made it yet.”
— Chris Dempsey (@chrisadempsey) February 13, 2019
However, Wojnarowski reports it’s done, Thomas is playing.
Eleven months after hip surgery, Denver Nuggets guard Isaiah Thomas will make his return tonight against Sacramento, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 13, 2019
Believe Wojnarowski’s report here. Players usually play it safe and provide themselves an out when talking to the media, then turn around and tell the team/their agent what they are really thinking.
Thomas would bring another playmaking guard off the bench in Denver, although it could be tough to get IT a lot of minutes because Monte Morris has filled that same role for the Nuggets so well he gets mentioned as a most improved player candidate. Coach Mike Malone has a deep roster and is going to have to massage some egos and keep guys happy as another player steps in to divide up the minutes.
Thomas was a fan favorite in Boston, playing through pain — both physical and emotional — and pulling that team into the playoffs while being fifth in the MVP voting just a couple of years ago. Then his hip injury caught up with him. He tried to recover without surgery playing for the Cavaliers and Lakers last season, but that never really worked like he hoped. He had the surgery and signed a one-year deal with the Nuggets.
Thomas is another guy playing for his next NBA contract, but he also could provide a scoring boost to Denver if he is anywhere close to his old self.
