Jrue Holiday injury: Boston Celtics starter dealing with new issue (2025)

ORLANDO — While all the injury attention was naturally on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown heading into Game 3, it was only Jrue Holiday who sat the loss to the Magic on Friday. Holiday was listed as questionable on the injury report with a right hamstring strain which forced him to miss Game 3.

At this point, Holiday’s status is unclear, though it doesn’t sound like it’s too serious. But that’s another injury blow for the Celtics as they’ve dealt with their share of issues already just three games into these playoffs.

“He’s doing well,” C’s coach Joe Mazzulla said Saturday. “He’s day-to-day. Just taking it one day at a time. Kind of seeing how he comes out of it.”

Holiday played in 36 minutes in the Game 2 victory, finishing with 11 points, four rebounds and six assists. He actually looked spry as he showed that by rising for a rare dunk in Game 2. The C’s starter also changed the complexion of Game 1 when he put together a great stretch in the third quarter.

Hamstring issues can also be tricky, so that’s an area the Celtics will naturally monitor going forward. Holiday dealt with some injuries during the regular season, including a shoulder problem and his rare mallet finger issue that requires a cast. So this hamstring issue is relatively new for the 34-year-old guard.

Both Tatum (wrist) and Brown (knee) played through their respective bone bruise issues in Game 3. Tatum went from doubtful to questionable to available while Brown was added late with a questionable tag before suiting up. So at least that was some positive news for the Celtics on the injury front other than Holiday sitting the loss.

The Celtics are looking to bounce back after they fell 95-93 to the Magic in Game 3. They had a 10-point halftime lead but mustered up just 11 points in the third quarter as they saw their lead disappear. The Magic had just enough at the end to steal a game and make it a 2-1 series lead for the Celtics.

“Obviously, you can’t replace what Jrue Holiday brings on both sides of the ball,” Derrick White said. “So everybody kind of has a little bit different role and responsibility on both sides. Jrue’s a good player and we’re obviously a better team with him. Derrick White’s just got a take step up when he’s not out there.”