NBA veteran guard Jrue Holiday returned to the Boston Celtics on Monday as the Portland Trail Blazers visited the TD Garden. It was the first time that Holiday faced his former team after he was traded by the franchise over the summer. The guard and the Blazers tried to put up a fight, but couldn’t overcome a 102-94 loss.
Holiday holds a special place in the hearts of Celtics fans. In his two-year stay with the franchise, he helped the team win the NBA championship in 2024. Ironically, the team acquired the two-way star from the Blazers, when they traded away center Robert Williams III.
Williams also played his first game against the team that drafted him.
After the contest, he was asked about what he felt like playing against his former team.
“It’s fun. I felt like it was cat-and-mouse. It definitely was a different type of challenge,” Holiday said.
Jrue Holiday played 24 minutes and had 14 points and two steals. Before leaving the court, he made sure to interact with every former teammate in the Celtics roster.
Joe Mazzulla had high praise for Jrue Holiday
Before the matchup, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was asked about his thoughts on Jrue Holiday. Mazzulla had nothing but praise for the two-time All-Star, who was key to their title run.
“You take a look at a guy [Jrue Holiday] who’s a champion and an All-Star and comes in and kind of accepts a completely different role, and does it with a smile on his face.”
“You take a look at a guy [Jrue Holiday] who's a champion and an All-Star and comes in and kind of accepts a completely different role, and does it with a smile on his face.”
Joe Mazzulla speaks on what Jrue Holiday meant for the Celtics 🙏🏽
(via @danield1214) pic.twitter.com/NiGc7FCOXe
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 26, 2026
During the player introductions, the Celtics fans cheered for Holiday. He also greeted the entire starting lineup of his former team. Lastly, he received a video tribute before the start of the second quarter.
In his time with the Celtics, Holiday averaged 11.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists.
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