Who is Isiah Thomas’ wife? All about the family amid NBA legend’s Bell’s Palsy diagnosis

63-year-old NBA legend Isiah Thomas recently shared the news of his Bell's palsy diagnosis during an appearance on The Mark Jackson Show on YouTube. While discussing the NBA's recently updated format with hosts Mark Jackson and his son, Mark Jackson Jr., Thomas opened up about his health condition in the latter part of the conversation.

Isiah Thomas has been married to Lynn Kendall since 1985. The couple met while attending Indiana University, where Thomas was a rising basketball star under the coaching of Bobby Knight. Lynn, the daughter of a Secret Service agent, and Thomas built their relationship during his early years with the Detroit Pistons, where he signed his first professional contract in 1981.

Their marriage, however, faced a significant challenge early on. Just two months after their wedding, a Michigan woman named Jenni Dones gave birth to Marc Edward Thomas Dones, claiming Thomas was the father. In 1985, Dones filed a paternity suit, asserting that she and Thomas had an "intimate, exclusive, ongoing relationship," which resulted in Marc's conception in May 1985.

The lawsuit concluded in 1987 with a settlement requiring Thomas to pay $52,000 upfront, with $2,764.78 monthly until Marc turned 18. At that point, Marc would receive a $100,000 lump-sum payment.

Despite the controversy, Thomas and Kendall remained committed to their marriage and raised their two children, Joshua and Lauren. Marc Dones, meanwhile, grew up to become a talented writer and poet.

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More about Isiah Thomas's children

Marc Dones, the eldest son of NBA legend Isiah Thomas, is an accomplished writer and poet and currently serves as the CEO of the King County Homelessness Authority, as reported by Essentially Sports. Interestingly, Thomas himself has expressed a passion for poetry, once stating:

"I like poetry because it’s free. There are no rules to it… You are not restricted or confined in any way.”

However, Marc's relationship with his father has been notably strained. In a 2006 interview with the New York Post, Marc revealed:

“Our lives are separate. He lives his and I live mine… He hasn’t been a good dad to me. He’s never returned my calls — that’s just him.”

As reported by Essentially Sports, Lauren Thomas, Isiah’s daughter with Lynn Kendall, has largely stayed out of the public spotlight. Born in 1991, Lauren has faced significant health challenges, including a narcolepsy diagnosis in 2019. Lauren has shared her story on platforms such as NPR, Project Sleep’s Narcolepsy Nerd Alert Series, and the Narcolepsy 360 podcast.

Joshua Thomas, the youngest of Isiah's children, has carved out a successful path in music and business. A mental health advocate and sexual assault survivor, Joshua has used his art as a tool for healing. His singles, ‘Dealin With It’ and ‘Love Me Sober’, reflect his personal journey and resilience.

In the music world, Joshua has shared the stage with renowned artists like Diana Ross, Jay-Z, Lady Gaga, Snoop Dogg, and even Shaquille O’Neal in his role as DJ. His performances have been featured on major platforms such as Good Morning America, Arise360 TV, and Sirius XM.

Joshua also contributes to ISIAH International, Isiah Thomas's father’s holding company, further showcasing his versatility and entrepreneurial spirit.