Jrue Holiday will miss his second straight game with a strained right hamstring when the Celtics face the Magic on Sunday, according to Brian Robb of MassLive.
Robb notes that Holiday had been listed as questionable going into Friday night’s contest and was ultimately ruled out shortly before tip-off. The injury was detected after Game 2, in which Holiday put up 11 points, four rebounds and six assists in 36 minutes.
During a session with reporters on Saturday, coach Joe Mazzulla indicated that Holiday is making progress.
“He’s doing well,” Mazzulla said. “He’s day-to-day. Just taking it one day at a time. Kind of seeing how he comes out of it.”
Boston’s hopes of sweeping the first-round series ended with a 95-93 loss at Orlando in Game 3. It was an intense, defensive-oriented matchup that was perfectly suited for Holiday’s style of play, observes Khari Thompson of The Boston Globe.
“Obviously you can’t replace what Jrue Holiday brings on both sides of the ball,” Derrick White said. “Everybody kind of has a little bit different role and responsibility on both sides. Jrue is a special player and obviously we’re a better team with him, but everybody just has to take a step up when he’s not out there.
After being acquired in October of 2023, Holiday played a huge role in helping the Celtics capture a championship last season after years of close calls. He provides elite-level defense in the backcourt, another reliable three-point shooter and veteran experience that includes his role on Milwaukee’s 2021 title team.
He was rewarded with a four-year, $135MM extension last April.
The Celtics are listing Jaylen Brown as questionable for the second straight game with a right knee posterior impingement that has bothered him for several weeks, Robb adds. Brown played 34 minutes on Friday, finishing with 19 points and six rebounds, and talked ab0ut the overly physical nature of the series after the loss.
Robb notes that Jayson Tatum is no longer on the team’s injury report. He missed Game 2 and was listed as questionable for Game 3 after suffering a bone bruise on his right wrist in the series opener.
Wow, the Celtics are a little bit nicked up.
I had them going all the way smoothly to the finals, but with six guys bumped and bruised, does this give Cleveland a little window of opportunity this year?
Probably not but the Celtics need to get to full strength before the Cavs come to town in a couple of weeks.
I’m a Celtics fan but Cleveland has more than a “window of opportunity”. They’re tough AF.
Yeah, I agree but they’re inexperienced so things get a little tight in the fourth quarter of some of these playoff games.
Celtics have been there done that.., and that means a lot.
Plus Garland is banged up a little bit too so Donovan Mitchell has to do a lot.
I love the DeAndre Hunter acquisition. That’s pretty huge on the wing because the Cavs have the big men and guards covered.
Cleveland looks good, but Celtics are head and shoulders above them at full strength. Not even close in my opinion. But if Boston key guys miss time, Cleveland could pounce.