Celtics’ Jrue Holiday: No hard feelings with Bucks

For the first time, Celtics guard Jrue Holiday is facing the team that traded him. That would be none other than the Milwaukee Bucks, who actually sent Holiday to the Trail Blazers as part of a deal for (you guessed it) star guard Damian Lillard.

Holiday and his Bucks teammates were tight, winning a title together in 2021. But the Bucks were bounced in the first round last season and likely believed Lillard with Giannis Antetokounmpo could put them over the top.

At least, that’s the hope. Sadly, Milwaukee had to part with Holiday to make it happen. 

He seems to understand, and the fact he’s with another Eastern Conference contender perhaps lightened the blow of the trade.

This despite the fact he received no warning that a deal was on the way. None. Nada. Zilch. Again, though, he holds no grudges.

“No,” he told reporters when asked about a grudge. “I think that they got what they wanted, so I can’t be mad at that.

“A warning would’ve been cool. But other than that, I’m in the best place that I can be to compete against them, which is for the top team in the East and, hopefully, the top team in the league.”

As for the game itself, Holiday indicated he’s approaching it just like another game against a quality opponent.

“It’s not like I circled this one on my calendar or anything,” Holiday said. “I think that this is a big game because of the two teams that are playing, I think because of the caliber players that are on the court and all that, so that’s what I would like for it to be about, not me playing against the Bucks.”