ORLANDO — The Celtics will again be without Jrue Holiday as they host the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of the playoffs on Tuesday. Holiday has missed the last two games with a right hamstring strain; he was questionable until gametime ahead of Game 3 and ruled out in advance of Games 4 and 5.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has not offered up much information on Holiday’s status, simply noting that his status is day-to-day. The Celtics split the two games that Holiday was sidelined, and
Despite not playing in Game 4, the 34-year-old veteran still had his imprints on the game; Holiday spoke with officials on numerous occasions throughout the game, at one point making the case that Kristaps Porzingis should not have been called for a foul.
Jrue Holiday just got up and walked over to the officials after that last foul on Kristaps Porzingis
He’s calmly explaining why that should not have been a foul, it seems pic.twitter.com/W2dXF5xepo
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) April 28, 2025
Jaylen Brown remains questionable on the Celtics’ injury report
Jaylen Brown, meanwhile, continues to appear as questionable on the injury report as he battles through a right knee impingement that has limited him since mid-February. Brown sat out the final three games of the regular season, underwent knee injections ahead of the playoffs, and has played in the Celtics’ first four playoff games.
So far this postseason, Brown is averaging 23 points on 49.2% shooting, while hitting 42.9% from three. His best game by far came with Jayson Tatum sidelined; in Game 2, he lifted the Celtics to victory with a 36-point, 10-rebound, 5-assist performance.
After Game 3, Brown was asked if the knee injury was something that was expected to linger through the postseason, and he stated simply: “[I’m] taking it one day at a time.”
Brown has been listed as questionable ahead of both Game 3 and 4, and ultimately played in both after going through warmups.
The Celtics have a 3-1 lead heading into Game 5. A win would advance them to the conference semi-finals, where they’ll face the winner of the current series between the New York Knicks and the Detroit Pistons (which the Knicks currently lead 3-1).
“This was a big win. On the road in a tough, physical environment, against a team that’s been playing well, and a team that has been eager to take us out,” Brown said. “Tonight was a big win. We get our rest, and we rally the troops and get back to it back in Boston on our home floor.”
