Isaiah Thomas BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 27: Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics carries the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter at TD Garden on January 27, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Boston Celtics’ star point guard Isaiah Thomas got some awful news ahead of their NBA playoff opener against Chicago Sunday. On Saturday afternoon, the 22-year-old woman killed in a one-car crash near Seattle, Washington early that morning was identified as Chyna Thomas, Isaiah’s sister. Here are more details from Craig Sailor of The Tacoma News-Tribune:

The Tacoma woman who died in a one-car accident on Interstate 5 in Federal Way Saturday morning is Chyna J. Thomas, 22, the sister of NBA star Isaiah Thomas, according to family friends.

Chyna Thomas died at the scene of the accident on the shoulder of I-5, according to the Washington State Patrol who identified her.

The wreck occurred around 5 a.m. on southbound Interstate 5 near South 288th Street, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Witnesses reported that the car, a 1998 Toyota Camry, was being driven normally at first.

“All of a sudden it started to drift very casually onto the left shoulder,” State Patrol spokesman Trooper Nick King said.

The car traveled about 50 feet partially off the roadway until it hit a Jersey barrier.

“That vaulted the vehicle head-on into the sign post,” King said.

Here’s a photo of the car from the Washington State highway patrol:

Chyna Thomas crash.

An accident like this is horrible at any time, but it must be particularly difficult for Thomas to have to deal with the loss of his sister so close to the start of the playoffs. The Tacoma, Washington native has been crucial for the Celtics this year, leading the team with 28.9 points and 5.9 assists per game and playing a critical role in their best-in-the-East 53-29 record. It will certainly be difficult for him to keep his mind on the court while dealing with this kind of family tragedy, though. Our thoughts go out to him and his family.

[Tacoma News-Tribune]

About Andrew Bucholtz

Andrew Bucholtz has been covering sports media for Awful Announcing since 2012. He is also a staff writer for The Comeback. His previous work includes time at Yahoo! Sports Canada and Black Press.

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