With Nipsey Hussle’s death anniversary approaching, Isaiah Thomas finds himself reflecting on the bond they shared with a heavy heart. The loss still stings. For IT, Nipsey wasn’t just an artist he admired, he was a guiding force, a close friend, and someone whose words carried him through the toughest moments in life.

Now, ahead of another year without Nipsey, Thomas has dropped a cryptic tribute that has fans talking. It’s not the first time he’s honored his friend, but this time, there’s a different energy behind it. Tattooed on the Washington Wizards point guard’s left leg are two checkered flags and an all-caps mantra, “I been fighting battles up a steep hill.” “That’s my life story,” said IT.  Serving as a reminder.

Isaiah Thomas, on a nostalgia trip, took to social media. He posted a story on Instagram, which was a reshare of his own post. He simply captioned the story, “Showed me real love since 2009 🏁,” cryptically. However, in the post, Nipsey Hussle can be seen attending an interview with New8. When asked how he feels about Isaiah Thomas being in LA, he said, “IT, we brought him home, man. I’m gonna be courtside, you know me locking in on my bro. I’m really happy that he out here. He a champion man, he a lionheart, you know what I’m saying. He been supporting and rocking with me ever since he was at college…. That’s my boy, man. I love IT.” Showing true adulation towards his longtime friend of ten years.

However, tragedy struck. On March 31, 2019, a fatal shooting tragically took Nipsey Hussle’s life outside his store in South Central Los Angeles. With his sixth death anniversary approaching quickly, Isaiah Thomas is bound to feel sorrowful. Let us take a look at the relationship between the two.

Real recognizes Real: Isaiah Thomas and Nipsey Hussle

Before Isaiah Thomas was making waves in the NBA, he was just a college kid at the University of Washington, making his way into the league. Through it all, one artist’s music kept him locked in: Nipsey Hussle. Isaiah Thomas was not just a casual fan, he supported Nipsey Hussle wholeheartedly. He bumped Nip’s jams on repeat and even showed up at his early shows, supporting him before the world caught on, as stated by Nip in the interview shared above. 

For Thomas, Nipsey’s message hit home. Both had the same story of being underdogs. Isaiah Thomas is constantly fighting to prove himself in a league that doubted his size. While Nipsey, who grew up in the slums of Los Angeles, was on his way to building his career independently. His true rags-to-riches story met an unfortunate and untimely end. That shared mentality turned admiration into a real bond. 

“[Ballplayers] come from the same environment. They going through the same struggle. They’re just attacking it through their gifts on the court or on the field,” said Nipsey in 2018 during an interview on the YT channel hardknocktv. The two icons had a real bond, often sharing the same space and engaging with each other’s art.

“Likewise, we’ll be in the studio and have the playoffs on mute and go back and watch classic performances. And just be like, ‘Look at the zone they was in.’ We both feed off each other.”

Isaiah Thomas proudly rocked Crenshaw gear, lived by Nipsey’s words, and used them as fuel for his own journey. The connection ran deep. Not just as a fan but as someone who truly resonated with the values Nipsey preached.

He once told “The Undefeated” how much of an impact Nipsey had on his life: “He was one of the most positive people that I ever met no matter what situation he’s been in, no matter what. And that’s what I think I took the most from him is just having those good, positive vibes at all times.” Thomas saw more than just a rapper; he saw a leader who never wavered in his authenticity.

“There was nothing fake about who he was as a person. He was genuine. He treated everybody the same, whether you were somebody that could help him or not.” That genuine nature and ability to uplift everyone around him stuck with Thomas. IT carried that lesson forward, striving to impact others in the same way.

“And that’s what I try to take from his life—making an impact, inspiring the next generation no matter if you’re here or not, and making sure you’re living the right way.” Thomas didn’t just admire Nipsey from afar; he internalized his message, making it a part of his own legacy. And just as Nipsey showed Thomas love at every opportunity, IT continues to honor that energy, keeping the spirit of The Marathon alive.