Jrue Holiday Returns to Boston, Celtics Reflect on His Impact
When Jrue Holiday walked back into TD Garden on Monday night, it wasn’t as a Celtic, but as a visitor - a Trail Blazer. It marked his first game in Boston since the offseason trade that sent him to Portland in exchange for Anfernee Simons. But even in a different jersey, Holiday’s presence stirred plenty of emotion, both on the court and in the locker rooms.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla made it clear: Holiday’s contributions to Boston went far beyond the box score.
“The biggest thing that stands out is who he is as a person,” Mazzulla said before tipoff. “You take a look at a guy who was a champion and an All-Star, and he comes in and accepts a completely different role and does it with a smile on his face. He was willing to do whatever it took to win every night.”
And that’s exactly what Holiday did during his two-year stint in Boston. He wasn’t the offensive focal point - far from it - but he brought a level of professionalism, defensive tenacity, and leadership that helped push the Celtics over the championship hump in 2024.
Now in Portland, Holiday has taken on a different role - one that requires more scoring and playmaking. Despite missing nearly two months with a calf injury, the 35-year-old has been productive when healthy, averaging 15.4 points and 7.1 assists over 18 games, with 16 of those as a starter. Portland interim head coach Thiago Splitter praised Holiday’s impact, not just on the hardwood, but in guiding a young Blazers team through the ups and downs of a long NBA season.
“He’s huge for us,” Splitter said. “What he brings to the locker room, to the court - his experience. He’s handled late-game situations, life situations, locker room dynamics - all the things we preach as a staff, he’s right there reinforcing it with the players.”
Holiday, ever the professional, said he wasn’t surprised by the Celtics’ continued success without him. He understood the financial realities that led to his trade, and he’s not shocked that Boston is still thriving, even with Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Jayson Tatum all sidelined.
“I knew they’d do well,” Holiday said. “I’ve been around this organization long enough to know how determined they are.
And Jaylen - he takes everything personally. He doesn’t accept mediocrity.”
Asked what exactly Brown takes personally, Holiday didn’t hesitate.
“Just losing,” he said. “I think people counted them out.
Not just Jaylen - Payton (Pritchard), Sam (Hauser), Neemi (Queta), Joe (Mazzulla), the whole staff. When people say they can’t do something, they prove them wrong.”
Robert Williams III Faces Celtics for First Time
Holiday wasn’t the only familiar face in a new uniform. Monday also marked Robert Williams III’s first game against his former team. The big man, affectionately known as “Time Lord” during his Boston days, had yet to suit up in any of Portland’s previous matchups with the Celtics since the trade that sent him west two and a half years ago.
Now backing up former UConn standout Donovan Clingan, Williams has carved out a solid role for himself, averaging 6.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. While Portland remains cautious with his workload - he’s not playing back-to-backs - his impact on the second unit has been significant.
“He’s been huge this year,” Splitter said. “We’ve got to be careful with his minutes, but he’s helping us defensively, on the glass, in transition - just doing the little things. He’s a big part of what we’re building.”
Celtics Battle Illness, Welcome Back Minott
Boston’s frontcourt was hit hard by illness ahead of Monday’s game. Luka Garza and Chris Boucher were both ruled out, and Neemias Queta was questionable before eventually being cleared to play. Queta, who had been dealing with the illness since late last week, came off the bench on Saturday in Chicago, with rookie Amari Williams getting the starting nod in his place.
One player who did make his return was Josh Minott. The fourth-year wing had missed 10 straight games with an ankle sprain but was cleared to suit up against Portland.
Minott has seen limited action this season - just three minutes since Thanksgiving - and had fallen out of Mazzulla’s rotation prior to the injury. Still, his versatility has occasionally seen him slotted in as a small-ball center.
Portland, meanwhile, was without a key piece of its own. Deni Advija, who’s been in the All-Star conversation this season, missed the game with a back injury.
Porzingis Still Sidelined
Kristaps Porzingis won’t be making his return to TD Garden this week, as the Atlanta Hawks announced he’ll miss at least another week while recovering from Achilles tendonitis. It’s been a frustrating stretch for the former Celtics big man, who’s played in just 17 of Atlanta’s 48 games this season. In addition to the Achilles issue, he’s also dealt with a knee injury and a lingering viral illness that carried over from last season.
He watched Saturday’s Celtics-Hawks game - a 132-106 Boston blowout - from the bench in street clothes. It’s been a tough go for Porzingis, as well as fellow ex-Celtics Al Horford and Jrue Holiday. All three were vital to Boston’s 2024 title run, but none have played in more than 60% of their new teams’ games this season.
Around the Rim
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, who has kept close tabs on the local sports scene, was asked about the Super Bowl-bound Patriots. He pointed to their evolving identity as a model for consistency and growth.
“They’re a team that’s developed an identity over the course of the season,” Mazzulla said. “That’s what every coach is after - finding that identity and sticking to it. They’ve done a great job with that.”
One notable All-Star Weekend update: standout rookie Hugo Gonzalez wasn’t selected for the 2026 Rising Stars game. Instead, Boston’s lone representative will be two-way wing Ron Harper Jr., one of seven G League players chosen for the showcase.
As Boston continues to navigate injuries and illnesses, the team remains one of the East’s top contenders - a testament to the depth, development, and determination that players like Jrue Holiday helped instill. Even in his absence, the culture he helped build is still paying dividends.