Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday notched his 15,000th career point as a professional with a third quarter 3-pointer against the New York Knicks Monday night. The former All-Star came into the action needing just 9 points to reach this new milestone.
Holiday was first selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the No. 17 pick during the 2009 NBA Draft. A few seasons later, he was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, where he made his first All-Star appearance in 2013. Holiday’s defense has been a hallmark of his game, but he has consistently been a solid offensive weapon. He’s averaged 19.0 or more points per game each year since the 2017-18 season, and Holiday is ranked 151st in NBA history for total points scored in a career.
Prior to Monday’s game, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was asked about Holiday’s impact. Mazzulla noted just how dynamic Holiday’s game is.
Do the Boston Celtics have the best starting lineup in the East? https://t.co/9E1zjUVQMW pic.twitter.com/oNEYc79i5T
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 13, 2023
“He has the ability to affect the game in so many ways,” Mazzula said. “He can be under-appreciated at times because of being able to do stuff like that.”
“I’ve seen him thriving in the kind of role that we have him (in),” Mazzulla said. “We just let him loose and empower him to different matchups, defensively be able to make plays, and when he wants to on the offensive end, using him in a couple of different areas.”
Holiday is averaging 12.8 points, 5.9 assists, and a career-best 7.3 rebounds per game for the Celtics this season. Holiday has been a key contributor for the Celtics amid a hot start to the year, and the 33-year-old has a chance to really add to his career scoring totals this season and beyond.
“He’s been great for us,” Mazzula said of Holiday.
Do the Boston Celtics have the best starting lineup in the East? https://t.co/yUFbOoa3Td pic.twitter.com/3ZvLYQmsGZ
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 13, 2023
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