Former NBA All-Star Isiah Thomas last played in an NBA game in April 2021 with the New Orleans Pelicans and has since been fighting to find a home on an NBA roster.
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He took another step towards his goal, signing with the Grand Rapids Gold, the Denver Nuggets G League affiliate, looking to use the G League Showcase to show NBA teams he can still contribute at the highest level.
In his debut for the Gold, Thomas did more than that, exploding for 42 points, eight assists and six rebounds on 16-of-30 shooting, knocking down five 3-pointers.
Two words: HE’S BACK! 🐐@isaiahthomas drops 42 POINTS in his G League debut with @NBAGrandRapids. pic.twitter.com/2457Euv0Rj
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) December 16, 2021
Thomas has continued to train after last playing on a 10-day contract with the Pelicans, suiting up for Team USA in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in November, averaging 21 points across two games, including a game-sealing 3-pointer over Cuba.
“The ultimate goal is to get back in the NBA,” Thomas said while playing for the United States National Team.
IT CALLED GAME! 🤫@isaiahthomas x @FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/lBUQkmviQy
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) November 29, 2021
The 32-year-old recently told The Athletic's Shams Charania just how close he came to landing a roster spot in the off-season after some successful workouts with the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer, however, Rajon Rondo rounded out their roster after receiving a buyout from the Memphis Grizzlies.
“I was very close,” Thomas said. “I really believe if the Rondo buyout didn’t happen, I would have been a Laker,”
“All respect to Rondo and respect to the Lakers organization. I was around those guys a liitle bit. I was able to work out with ‘Bron and Westbrook. So they’ve seen me in my element and they’ve seen me back to the person I am.”
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With 60 players entering the league's health and safety protocols, including 43 this week, due to rising COVID-19 cases, several teams are running thin, meaning Thomas could hear his phone ring, with teams able to sign players over the 15-man roster limit, under the league's hardship exception.
Former NBA guard Lance Stephenson was also on show for the Gold, putting up 18 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in their 131-127 loss to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants as he also looks to use the G League as an avenue back into the league.
What is the NBA G League Showcase?
The 2021 G League Showcase features a single-elimination tournament where eight teams will compete for the Showcase Cup Championship.
The fight to make the eight-team Showcase Cup field began on Nov. 5, as the G League’s 29 teams and NBA G League Ignite were be separated into four regional pods, playing 12 games against one another in local NBA G League markets.
The teams with the best winning percentages in each regional pod, along with the next four teams across the league with the best winning percentages, will play for the Showcase Cup Championship during the Winter Showcase. The remaining teams will each play two games outside of the Showcase Cup Tournament during the event.
The field is not yet set for the G League Showcase, with the "regional pod" schedule set to wrap up on Dec. 17.
The G League Showcase will tip-off on Sunday, Dec. 19 and conclude on Wednesday, Dec. 22.
Team scouts and executives will be in attendance to evaluate players.
