Before being traded to Portland last summer, former Bucks point guard Jrue Holiday brought another championship to Boston, where he arrived in 2023-24 as part of Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard deal. Just as with the Bucks, Holiday blessed the Celtics with a ring his first season in town. He will be remembered there as a core piece of the title roster, not the aging if still productive player he was last season. The Celtics flipped him to the Blazers in the offseason as one of their many moves designed to relieve pressure on a then-overburdened payroll.
The two teams met back on December 28, but that was in Portland and Holiday, who has much of the season hurt, didn’t play. On Monday, January 26, the Blazers traveled to Boston, this time with Holiday healthy. There, the two-time champion was able to receive the recognition he deserved.
Boston still feels like home for Holiday
The TD Garden crowd were big fans of Holiday’s return to the city.
“The Trail Blazers guard received a big cheer 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 highlights that included him clutching the NBA championship trophy he helped Boston win in 2024,” ESPN described the scene.
Jul 8, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and guard Jrue Holiday (21) against the Phoenix Suns in game two of the 2021 NBA Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
It was a meaningful moment for Holiday as well. “Brought back good times. 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.”
Bucks fans are no doubt familiar with Holiday’s hard-nosed defense and scrappy play. In Milwaukee, Holiday was a scoring threat, too, averaging 18.5 points on 49.4/39.5/80.3 splits in three seasons, plus 6.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He made the All-Defense team every year, including two first-team nods, and made his second career All-Star game in 2022-23, his final season as a Buck.
It’s a testament to his grit and character that he remains a fixture in both the Bucks and Celtics organizations despite spending only five years between the franchises. Bringing home a championship will do that. Fans don’t forget the players who helped make those dreams a reality.
Jul 17, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward P.J. Tucker (17) celebrates with forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34), guard Jrue Holiday (21) and forward Khris Middleton (22) as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) walks off the court following game five of the 2021 NBA Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Championship teammates share an even stronger bond, no matter how long they wore matching jerseys. “It’s just like family,” Holiday said of being around so many familiar faces in Boston. “There’s a normalcy to it. 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.”
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