Celtics Won’t Face Two Former Players During Matchup Vs. Trail Blazers

The Boston Celtics will play the Portland Trail Blazers for the first time this season on Sunday evening.

Celtics fans won’t see either former Boston guard Jrue Holiday or center Robert Williams III on the court for the road contest, however.

Holiday, who spent two seasons with the Celtics from 2023 to 2025, was traded to the Trail Blazers in June for a package that included fellow guard Anfernee Simons.

The fan favorite got off to a fast start in Portland but has been sidelined since Nov. 14 due to a calf injury.

Holiday is averaging 16.7 points, 8.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds across 12 games this season.

The “Time Lord” played the first five years of his career in Boston beginning in 2018 before being sent to the Trail Blazers in October 2023 in a deal that brought Holiday to Beantown.

Williams missed the first five games of the campaign due to injury but has suited up in 20 of Portland’s last 26 contests.

The big man is currently nursing a knee ailment and is posting 6.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per tilt.