Former Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas enjoys Boston homecoming

The two-time all-star while with the Celtics was back at the TD Garden Monday night as a member of the Denver Nuggets.

BOSTON – There were plenty of hugs and a lot of handshakes no matter which way he turned inside the TD Garden on Monday night.

Isaiah Thomas was back in the building where he put on so many shows while playing a starting role for the Celtics from 2015-17.

For the first time since being dealt in the Kyrie Irving trade in August 2017, Thomas was in uniform for a game at the Garden as a backup point guard for the Denver Nuggets.

It was a warm homecoming for Thomas, who was so beloved during his short stint with the Celtics where he was a two-time All-Star, nearly broke Larry Bird’s franchise record for points per game in a season and was among the contenders for the most valuable award two years ago.

“It’s always good to be back,’’ said Thomas during a pregame press conference. “This feels like home. It’s always good to be in the city of Boston, it’s good to be in the TD Garden and I’m just happy to be back and around familiar faces and to really get that genuine real love.

“These were the most fun times of my career. I turned into a superstar here. The world knew my name when I played for the Boston Celtics. Playing for the Celtics changed my whole career on and off the court.’’

Thomas went from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Los Angeles Lakers to the Nuggets, signing a one-year, $2 million contract last summer.

But after having hip surgery last year and making his debut with the Nuggets last month, Thomas was removed from the rotation after nine games. He had sat out three in a row prior to visiting the Garden.

Thomas was injured in March 2017 and then aggravated the hip ailment in the playoffs, leaving Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Cavs. His career has gone downhill ever since then.

“Physically, I’m good,’’ said Thomas. “This is the first time since I got hurt that I don’t feel any pain. I’m blessed to be pain-free and to be able to feel like myself again and I’m just waiting on a real opportunity to showcase what I can do.

“I’m here to help. Whatever they need me to do. I’m just here to help. I’m not here to cause any problems and when my opportunity does come I’ll be more than ready.’’

Being back in Boston, where the 5-foot-9 Thomas had so many fans for his heroics on the court, was something to which he had looked forward.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone has elected to take him out of the point guard rotation, and it has been another difficult time for Thomas.

“It’s tough because you don’t expect to have to be patient after some of the things I accomplished,’’ said Thomas. “You roll with the punches. That’s been my story.

“Right now, I need that love. I’ve been through so much the last two years and then coming back and getting out of the rotation. At the end of the day I’m human and getting love is always good for the body and the mind. I’m glad to be around familiar faces.’’

After the Nuggets’ practice at Emerson College on Sunday, he hung around the gym, doing some extra shooting.

When a group of students gathered to watched, they asked if he’d join them in a pickup game and Thomas obliged.

“They were not basketball players. That was the funny thing,’’ said Thomas, who also met many people on a walk to the Nike store on Monday. “But I enjoy those moments. I try to play anywhere. I played a couple of games. It was a cool moment. They were so happy, but I was happy to play with them.’’

Celtics coach Brad Stevens, who stays in touch with Thomas, was happy to see his former player.

“That team took on his disposition,’’ said Stevens, referring to the two-plus seasons Thomas was with the Celtics. “He is a competitor. He loves to win. He loves to work and he has a chip on his shoulder. That’s been a huge driver for him. He was a blast to be around.

“When you look back on those couple of years, you think about second team All-NBA, 29 a game, he had special, special years. We had a blast kind of following him. He always wanted to play. He was super impressive to be around on a day to day basis.’’

Jim Fenton may be reached at jfenton@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JFenton_ent.