Joe Mazzulla Provides Injury Update On Key Celtics Starter

Jrue Holiday in street clothes is not what the Boston Celtics want to see him in during a playoff run.

Holiday was relegated to the bench for the final three games of Boston’s first-round series against the Magic, which wrapped up Tuesday night with a Game 5 win by the Celtics.

It’s unclear how long Holiday will be sidelined for with a right hamstring strain and if he’ll be ready for the start of the Eastern Conference semifinals, which begins next Monday.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla on Wednesday made his weekly appearance on the 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Zolak and Bertrand” show and offered an update on the veteran guard’s status.

“He’s day-to-day,” Mazzulla said. “I mean, he’s working his ass off to get back there for us. It’s good that we were able to kind of take care of business to get guys extra time to rest. He’s working as hard as he can to get back. He’s day-to-day and we’ll just see how he continues to get better.”

Holiday proved his worth to the Celtics during last year’s run to an NBA title and things were looking similarly for the 34-year-old to start this postseason. Mazzulla said Holiday put the Celtics “on his back” in their Game 1 win over the Magic when Holiday was a difference-maker in a pivotal third quarter and finished with nine points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals.

Holiday provided more of his savvy play in 36 minutes in Game 2, but he hasn’t seen game action since then. Hamstring injuries can be tricky, but getting Holiday back on the floor is imperative for the defending champions.

“I know Jrue’s a tough guy, and I know he’ll do whatever it takes to put himself, and our team in position to win, and we’ll also do what’s best for him,” Mazzulla said. “He’s getting better and better each day, and we’ll see how he progresses.”