The Boston Celtics paid tribute to Jrue Holiday in his return to TD Garden on Monday night ahead of their interconference matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Celtics Play Tribute Video For Jrue Holiday
According to The Associated Press, Holiday received support from fans when he was shown on the scoreboard during warmups, another when he was introduced before the game, and a standing ovation after a tribute video of Celtics highlights that included him holding the NBA championship trophy in 2024.
“Brought back good times,” Holiday said Monday night after Portland’s 102-94 loss to the Celtics. “Something like that — for me, it felt like it was like that every single game. You play hard for this team and this city, and they definitely have your back.”
The Celtics acquired Holiday from the Blazers before the 2023-24 season, and the six-time All-Defensive member helped Boston win its 18th NBA title in five games against the Dallas Mavericks.
However, the Celtics were forced to trade Holiday and center Kristaps Porzingis last summer to get under the league’s punitive second apron luxury tax.
Moving both players saved Boston an estimated $180 million in luxury tax penalties.
Holiday Enjoyed Playing In Boston
In Portland’s road loss to Boston on Monday night, Holiday finished with 14 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals in 24 minutes as a starter.
Holiday hugged his former teammates on the court after the game.
“It’s just like family. There’s a normalcy to it,” Holiday said. “You spend so much time with them that they become family and then just all of a sudden you’re on a different team. So it’s always good to see them.”
Holiday, 35, was selected 17th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2009 NBA draft out of UCLA. He spent four seasons with the Sixers before joining the New Orleans Pelicans and then getting traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.
With the Trail Blazers, Holiday missed two months this season due to a right calf strain and remains on a minutes restriction since returning two weeks ago.
The 6-foot-4 guard is used to changing teams by now.
Robert Williams III, meanwhile, was stunned that Boston traded him to Portland for Holiday in 2023.
“Everybody’s first trade is just kind of a rough one,” said Williams, who the Celtics drafted in 2018. “I watched the whole Finals. I watched them win it. Me and my girl.
“I went through a moment of saying I was happy for my dogs. Then I went through ‘F ’em,’ you know what I’m saying? It was mixed emotions, but I’m glad they did it for sure.”
The Celtics host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
