Fri Jan 16 05:20:00 UTC 2026: # Jrue Holiday Returns from Injury, Praises Teammates Despite Loss
The Story:
Former Celtics guard Jrue Holiday made his return to the court for the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, January 18, 2026, after being sidelined for nearly two months with a sprained right calf suffered on November 14, 2025. Holiday, playing in a reserve role with a minutes restriction, contributed eight points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal in Portland’s 123-114 loss to an unspecified opponent. Despite the defeat, Holiday expressed admiration for his teammates, highlighting their performance during his absence and the emergence of younger players.
Key Points:
- Jrue Holiday returned after missing 27 games due to a sprained right calf.
- He played in a reserve role, his first time off the bench all season, with a minutes limit.
- Holiday scored eight points, grabbed four rebounds, dished out two assists, and recorded one steal in the loss.
- Holiday praised the performance of teammates like Sidy Cissoko, Caleb Love, Donovan Clingan, and called for Deni Avdija to be an All-Star.
- The Celtics traded Holiday in June 2025 for Anfernee Simons to reduce payroll.
- Holiday averaged 16.7 points and 8.3 assists per game before his injury.
- The Blazers are 19-21 in the Western Conference.
Key Takeaways:
- Jrue Holiday’s return provides a boost to the Portland Trail Blazers, both on and off the court.
- The Blazers’ recent success, winning seven of their last nine games, indicates a growing chemistry and development of young players even without Holiday.
- The Celtics’ decision to trade Holiday, while financially motivated, highlights the often-difficult balance between talent and salary cap considerations in the NBA.
- Holiday’s desire to play as many games as possible signals his commitment to his new team and his awareness of his remaining career years.
First Piper 