The summer has been a time of celebration for the Boston Celtics franchise, kicking off with their 18th NBA championship and now featuring three of their players on Team USA for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White are all playing crucial roles on the national team, with Tatum earning a starting position in the latest victory against Puerto Rico.
Despite joining the team later after Kawhi Leonard’s departure, White has seamlessly integrated as a secondary playmaker, effective defender, and outside shooter. Among the trio, Holiday has stood out as arguably the most impactful player, with U.S. head coach Steve Kerr praising his compatibility in the starting lineup alongside stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Joel Embiid.
Unfortunately, Holiday was unable to participate in the recent win over Puerto Rico due to a sprained ankle sustained during the previous group game against South Sudan. However, Kerr assured fans that Holiday is expected to return for the upcoming quarterfinals, as reported by Marc J. Spears of Andscape.
According to Spears, “USA coach Steve Kerr says Jrue Holiday (ankle) will play Tuesday vs. Brazil.” This is excellent news for Holiday, who has been the standout perimeter defender for Team USA while also contributing essential offensive plays when needed.
Holding him out against Puerto Rico was merely a precautionary measure, especially since Team USA had already secured their spot in the elimination rounds. With Holiday back on the roster, the Americans should be seen as heavy favorites against Brazil, positioning them well to advance to the semifinals.
