BOSTON — When Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas reached down to the floor in the first quarter of Game 1, it was unclear what he was looking for. Turns out, Thomas lost one of his front teeth. Otto Porter was the reason.
Porter accidentally caught Thomas with an elbow — Thomas is 5 foot 9, Porter is 6 foot 8 — when reaching back for a pass. Thomas temporarily left the floor, then returned to play without the tooth. He led all scorers with 33 points in Game 1, missing tooth be damned.
“It just bothers me to talk,” Thomas said after the game. “My tongue goes right through my tooth. I’ve never had dental problems, so this is new. I’ve always had teammates that I’ve clowned them about their teeth being out and now I’m one of them. Hopefully, we can replace it as soon as possible.”
Porter had no idea what happened. He at least didn’t know he was the cause of the unwanted dislodging. Replays, and a smile from Thomas, clarified what had occurred.
“I saw the replay, and I came off a tight curl and I kind of reached back for the ball and I guess he was right there,” Porter said. “I kind of got him. The crazy thing — I didn’t feel it until after it happened. Didn’t even know it was him.
“I didn’t see him pick up the tooth or nothing. I saw him smile one time. I was like, ’Yyyyyooooooo. When did that happen?’ Then, I saw the replay.”
• Todd Dybas can be reached at tdybas@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.