Isiah Thomas 25 points 3rd quarter-sprained ankle-NBA Finals 1988 vs. Los Angeles Lakers

This is the longer NBA TV version of one of the greatest individual efforts in basketball--by point guard Isiah Thomas of the Detroit Pistons in Game 6 in Los Angeles. This is not talking about him as a general manager, coach, etc. This is to just appreciate Isiah the player, including comments from Isiah. For other sports clips, you can also look at the playlists (such as for the Detroit Pistons) on my channel or the channel itself for the videos. Entertainment purposes only. I will not make anything financially or anything similar from this. Announcers include Chick Hearn (Los Angeles Lakers radio announcer), Dick Stockton (play-by-play) and Hubie Brown (color commentary) for CBS televsion. Earvin "Magic" Johnson of the Lakers provides the last commentary.

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[TheBoiFlip]

if he really sprained his ankle badly he wouldnt even be able to stand up.

ive played after i sprained my ankle b4 its not that big of a deal.

[ErniePaulGeorge]

I don't know. From what I've read ever since the game (granted intermittently over 2+ decades, but from players, commentators, etc.), I haven't seen people doubting how bad the sprain was, partly because of Isiah's reputation for playing through pain. I wasn't at the game (so I'll never say 100% sure about the above), but he certainly wasn't running well in game 7. I'll defer to others more in the know, though.

[silencedfable]

It's too bad everyone hates Isiah, but you can't deny he had game.

[C. McCoy]

There is absolutely NO way that AI is even in the conversation with Isiah....

[maciasusn]

I don't think you're a athletically gifted in shape athlete either. I've known of people who hurt their shoulders and can't write code anymore.

[Yono84]

The sprain was bad...he didn't play the second half of game 7. How bad do do you think it was?

[Brandutt]

And people called KOBE tough after the hawks game....... PLEASE.

[FuckUtube4Life2010]

but did you play as well as he did after spraining your ankle? and there's various degrees to which you can sprain your ankle, what makes you so sure he sprained it to a degree that was "no big deal"? can you feel the exact pain he was feeling that night? lol. bottom line, most players have never scored 25 points in a game, let alone in one quarter. to do it on a sprained ankle, regardless of the severity of it, is pretty impressive.

[KingStephenArthur]

not all sprains are the same.  just because you didn't sprain your ankle badly doesn't mean someone else could sprain theirs much worse.

[SlanderJump]

I Just don't understand how people can not like isiah because of his "bad attitude" but love Michael Jordan who is just a rotten person. He spent his entire Hall of Fame speech teasing people & giving underhanded compliments

[seanmac0324]

This particular moment in NBA history is the "sole" reason why I love basketball so much. I watched this game live on TV (CBS had board casting rights). First reading the comments, if anyone things he was faking, is either too young to remember or have never play the game of basketball unless they was using a joystick. MJ's flu was admirable at best compared to Isiah's ankle. This man couldn't place on weight on his foot and he still was dominating. For doubters, his record still remains.

[BotChumbaWumba]

Never underestimate the heart of a champion...

[McKenzieforever1334]

your not a pro tho..im guessing,..im prob right... so dont be like dat bro.

[PaulGilbertrulezzz]

wow...hate him all you want..,.but he played with heart,