The Boston Celtics are set to face the New York Knicks in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Monday night, and they are bringing their full roster to the matchup. Jrue Holiday, a key player for the Celtics, is back after missing the last three games of the previous series against the Orlando Magic due to a hamstring strain. His return is a significant boost for Boston, as he was not listed on the injury report ahead of the game.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla expressed confidence in Holiday’s readiness, noting that he has been improving daily and participated fully in practice. Holiday, a two-time NBA champion and three-time all-defensive first team player, is expected to take on the challenge of guarding Knicks star Jalen Brunson, who had an impressive regular season against Boston, averaging 26.7 points per game.
The Celtics come into this series with momentum, having swept the Magic in their opening round. The Knicks, on the other hand, faced a tougher road, but they are eager to prove themselves against their rivals. Boston’s All-Star forward Jaylen Brown also appears healthy after dealing with a knee issue during the last series. He performed well against Orlando, averaging 23 points and 7.6 rebounds.
The matchup is highly anticipated, especially given the history between the two teams. The Celtics narrowly defeated the Knicks in their last meeting, a thrilling overtime win. Both teams will be looking to establish dominance early in the series, and the Celtics are hoping to leverage their depth and experience to secure a strong start.
As the playoffs continue, fans are excited to see how this storied rivalry unfolds on the court.