TD Garden was buzzing Monday night, and not just because the Celtics were in action. Jrue Holiday made his return to Boston for the first time since being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers this past offseason-and the crowd made sure he felt the love.
The veteran guard, now wearing Portland black and red, was met with a standing ovation as he stepped onto the court for warmups. It was a moment that spoke volumes-not just about the kind of player Holiday is, but the kind of impact he had during his two-year stint in Boston.
“It means a lot,” Holiday said in a pregame interview. “Winning together, going through so many things together, even how it ended… doing that together, it was amazing, and I'll never forget it.”
And how could he? Holiday played a key role in helping the Celtics capture the 2024 NBA title, bringing veteran leadership, elite perimeter defense, and a steadying presence in big moments. He wasn’t just a piece of the puzzle-he was one of the reasons it all fit together.
But sentimentality doesn’t last long once the ball tips. Holiday made it clear that as much as he appreciates the fans and his time in Boston, he’s here to compete.
“We're trying to beat each other,” he said. “Once you get between the lines and the clock starts running, I know I want to win and they want to win.”
That competitive fire is part of what’s made Holiday such a respected figure around the league. At 35, he’s still a two-way force, and his stat line at halftime-eight points, two rebounds, three assists, and a block-shows he’s not just coasting through the back half of his career.
The trade that sent Holiday to Portland came as a surprise to many, including Holiday himself. Boston dealt him in exchange for Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick, a move triggered by the Achilles injury to Jayson Tatum that forced GM Brad Stevens to rethink the roster’s construction.
Initially, Holiday wasn’t thrilled. He had hoped to stay in Boston with his family, and the sudden shift was understandably tough. But he’s since come to terms with the decision and expressed appreciation for the front office’s transparency during the process.
As the game reached halftime, the Celtics held a 52-37 lead over the Blazers. But for fans in Boston, the scoreboard wasn’t the only thing that mattered. Seeing Holiday back in the Garden-even in a different jersey-was a reminder of the championship memories he helped create.
And for Holiday, the reception was proof that while players may change teams, the bond with a city that embraced him as a champion doesn’t fade so easily.
"Once you get between the lines, I know I want to win and they want to win."
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) January 27, 2026
Jrue Holiday discusses playing against the Celtics for the first time since being traded in the offseason.
📺 Peacock and NBCSN pic.twitter.com/tIVllyZbpt