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Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas getting tips from Kobe Bryant

Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas celebrates with fans after defeating the Washington Wizards 129-119 in a second-round NBA playoff series basketball game in Boston, Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Thomas scored 53 in the overtime win, taking a 2-0 lead in the series. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas celebrates with fans after defeating the Washington Wizards 129-119 in a second-round NBA playoff series basketball game in Boston, Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Thomas scored 53 in the overtime win, taking a 2-0 lead in the series. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

By Associated Press May 3, 2017 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Boston Celtics star Isaiah Thomas is getting some assists from Kobe Bryant.

Thomas, who has had some huge performances in the playoffs, says he’s been talking and texting with Bryant to get tips about his game. Thomas says after the Celtics were down 2-0 in the first round to Chicago, he emailed film to Bryant and the five-time NBA champion broke it down with him for 30 minutes over the phone.

Thomas says Bryant first reached out after his sister died in a car accident and has stayed in touch to help with basketball. Thomas says Bryant is mentally “on a different level” than anyone else because of the specifics of what he saw in the game film and suggestions on how to beat certain defenses.

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