Celtics Prepare for Knicks as Holiday's Status Remains Uncertain

As the Boston Celtics prepare for their second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, head coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized the need for continued toughness after a physically demanding series with the Orlando Magic. A central storyline is the injury status of Jrue Holiday, who missed the final three games of the previous round with a hamstring strain but has been progressing in practice and is officially listed as day-to-day for Game 1. Mazzulla and team insiders note Holiday is working hard to return, though his availability remains uncertain and may not be clear until game day. Holiday's defensive presence is considered critical, especially given the Knicks’ offensive threats, but the Celtics have managed to perform well in his absence, relying on other key contributors. The team and fans remain cautious, balancing the urgency of the playoffs with the need to avoid rushing Holiday back and risking further injury. Holiday was also recently honored with his second NBA Sportsmanship Award, highlighting his impact both on and off the court.