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NBA Power Rankings: Top 20 Players Heading Into 2017

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against theMinnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against theMinnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 25, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas drives in for a shot against New York Knicks guard Courtney Lee (5) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Celtics won 119-114. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas drives in for a shot against New York Knicks guard Courtney Lee (5) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Celtics won 119-114. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics

Position: Point Guard
Age: 27 (2/7/1989)
Experience: 6th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .444/.333/.899
2016-17 Season Averages: 33.3 MPG, 26.9 PPG, 6.3 APG, 2.5 RPG, 0.9 SPG, 2.3 3PM

If Isaiah Thomas remains healthy and continues to produce at this level, he should be a lock for the 2017 All-Star Game. He saved the Boston Celtics when Jae Crowder and Al Horford missed an extended period of time, and hasn’t slowed down.

Since returning from a four-game injury absence, Thomas has firmly established his place as one of the Top 20 players in the NBA.

Boston went 1-3 without Thomas and has gone 6-2 since he returned. During that eight-game stretch, Thomas has averaged 29.3 points, 6.8 assists, and 2.8 3-point field goals made on 49.7 percent shooting from the field.

Al Horford is one of the most well-rounded players in the NBA, but it’s Thomas’ scoring and playmaking that have paced the Celtics through 2016-17.

Thomas’ signature performance over the past eight games was a 44-point eruption against the Memphis Grizzlies. He also torched the New York Knicks for 27 points on Christmas Day and had 34 points and 10 assists against Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Thomas’ nine points in the fourth quarter on Christmas Day are a microcosm of what makes his season so special: he’s as clutch as any player in the NBA.