Jrue Holiday steals the ball – and wins – from the Pacers as the Celtics take a 3-0 series lead in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.
John Havlicek, ML Carr, Gerald Henderson, Larry Bird and now Jrue Holiday.
The Celtics point guard joined a roster of Boston legends in securing a crucial playoff victory with a key steal after robbing Indiana’s Andrew Nembhard with seconds left in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA.
Holiday made two free throws after being fouled to give Boston a 3-0 series lead.
The first-year Celtics star was listed as questionable earlier in the day and underwent pregame shooting drills before the team made a decision. He was deemed available to play approximately 45 minutes before the announcement.
The big news heading into Game 3 was the absence of Tyrese Haliburton, who left in the third quarter of the Pacers’ Game 2 loss and didn’t return. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said the All-NBA guard wanted to play but doctors wouldn’t clear it.
Haliburton led the NBA in assists this season despite missing 10 games, also with a left hamstring injury. It remains unclear whether Haliburton will be able to return for Game 4 Monday night in Indianapolis, where the Pacers were 6-0 in this season’s playoffs as of Saturday.
Boston had already ruled out former All-Star center Kristaps Porzingis with a right calf strain, but received more bad news Saturday as backup center Luke Kornet was scratched with a wrist injury LEFT.
Andrew Nembhard #2 of the Pacers plays defense during the game against Jrue Holiday
