Jrue Holiday has been nursing a "dead arm" since taking a hard screen in the Celtics' 130-104 victory over the Washington Wizards last Sunday, according to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe.
The veteran point guard missed his third straight Friday with a sprained right shoulder joint, as the team is facing the Detroit Pistons for the second time in the past week -- kicking off a six-game road trip.
While there is no timetable for Holiday's return, his absence over the last few days is "more than simply being cautious," per Himmelsbach's report.
Holiday told The Globe, "I'm feeling something, for sure," as he has been receiving medical treatment over the last several days. With the Celtics currently owning an 10.5 game lead over the second place Milwaukee Bucks, who they just beat 122-119 on Wednesday, when it comes to the Eastern Conference standings -- it makes it somewhat easier for the team to rest Holiday for now.
"I still want to play," Holiday said. "That's part of the reason I play basketball. But it's also keeping rhythm. Sometimes when you're out for a long time you break rhythm, but I feel like I've been in a good groove and I want to continue to play."
Joe Mazzulla is on board with the team taking their time with Holiday, who's averaging 12.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, while shooting 44.5% from 3-point range this season. The C's head coach says that his guard has been slowly showing signs of improvements.
"He's in good shape," Mazzulla told Himmelsbach. "He's doing well. He's getting better."
The Celtics at 55-14 and with less than a month to go before the playoffs begin will be careful with their starters from here on out. Jayson Tatum (ankle) and Al Horford (toe) had tonight off against the Pistons, while Sam Hauser made his return to the lineup following a two-game absence with an ankle sprain sustained in the same Wizards' game that Holiday suffered his current injury.
Joel Pavón
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