Veteran guard Jrue Holiday, who has missed the past two games of the Celtics‘ series vs. Orlando due to a right hamstring strain, will remain sidelined for Game 5 on Tuesday, the team announced today (Twitter link).
The Celtics lost Game 3 in Orlando without Holiday available on Friday, but bounced back with a 107-98 victory on Sunday to take a 3-1 lead in the series.
Al Horford has taken Holiday’s spot in the starting lineup, with Sam Hauser playing an increased role off the bench and Boston leaning heavily on its stars. Jayson Tatum and Derrick White each played at least 39 minutes in Games 3 and 4, with Jaylen Brown logging 41 minutes in Sunday’s win.
Speaking of Brown, he’s listed as questionable for Game 5 due to a posterior impingement in his right knee, per the Celtics. However, the reigning NBA Finals MVP had that same questionable designation prior to Games 3 and 4 and ultimately saw a full workload in both contests, so it would be a bit of a surprise if he joins Holiday on the inactive list.
If the Celtics can wrap up their first-round series with a win over the Magic on Tuesday, the team will have a lengthier layoff before beginning its second-round series, which would give Holiday some additional recovery time.
Smart move. Everyone knows that if you come back too soon from a hammy you’re done. Toast. Sayonara. Ineffective.
Pritchard has to step it up a tad.
Hard to shoot and score when you don’t touch the ball. A shooter like Pritchard or Hauser will shoot if they get the ball on offense. Look at game 1 or 2 for Pritchard. Tatum and Brown were 3 for 13 shooting 3’s in game 4. I think Pritchard and Hauser would have made more than 3 of 13 if given the ball. Find a film and count the number of times Pritchard touches the ball in the 3rd 4th quarters.
That makes sense, finish these guys off and get some rest. A couple series are going 7.
Without Holiday and Jaylen, they will never get past Cleveland should they get that far.
Hammy is not easy to come back from. Especially wuth the pressure of the playoffs. Jrue is my guy. Celtics are nit beating Knicks unless 100%. Not what I want. But this is why you must always take care of your team. Cause you never know.
Celtics have three players. Who have been in and out. KP, Brown, Jrue. All you can do is make sure your team is ready. Injuries suck but its part of the game. Celtics 100% are team to best.