The Celtics acquired Jrue Holiday ahead of the 2023-24 season and leveraged his talents on both ends of the floor to their 18th NBA title.
BOSTON — Jrue Holiday received a champion’s welcome upon his return to Boston.
The Portland Trail Blazers guard received a standing ovation when he appeared on the scoreboard during warmups, another when he was introduced before the game, and a standing ovation after a tribute video with highlights that included footage of him holding the NBA championship trophy he helped Boston win in 2024.
“It brought back good memories,” Holiday said Monday night after Portland’s 102-94 loss to the Celtics. “Kind of… to me, it felt like that every game. You play hard for this team and this city, and they definitely support you.”
The Celtics acquired Holiday from the Blazers ahead of the 2023-24 season and leveraged his talents on both ends of the court to their 18th NBA title. But they had to trade him and center Kristaps Porzingis last summer to avoid the league’s luxury tax.
This season was supposed to be a transitional one as the Celtics awaited star Jayson Tatum’s return from an Achilles injury. But Boston leads the Atlantic Division and is second in the Eastern Conference, hoping Tatum can return for the playoffs.
Holiday, meanwhile, missed two months of this season with a right calf strain and remains on a minutes restriction since his return two weeks ago. He scored 14 points in 24 minutes on Monday night, then hugged his former teammates on the court.
“It’s like a family. There’s a sense of normalcy,” Holiday said. “You spend so much time with them that they become family and suddenly you’re on a different team. So it’s always good to see them.”
For Holiday, changing teams is no longer a surprise. He was originally drafted by Philadelphia and also played in New Orleans and Milwaukee before coming to Boston. But teammate Robert Williams III was a bit surprised when the Celtics traded him to the Blazers in exchange for Holiday in 2023.
“Anyone’s first transfer is always a little difficult,” said Williams, who had to watch from a distance as the team that drafted him won the championship. “I watched all the Finals. I watched them win. My girlfriend and I,” he said. “I had a moment where I was happy for my friends. Then I thought, ‘Screw them,’ you know? It was mixed emotions, but I’m glad they made it.”
