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“We love the city. We love this organization, the players in it and what they represent. We’re doing our best to try to get another banner.”
Celtics guard Jrue Holiday makes a 3-pointer in the first quarter against the Knicks.
Jrue Vacations is happy to have been able to sign a contract extension with the Celtics before the start of the playoffs.
The four-year, $135 million deal keeps Holiday under contract with Boston through the 2027-28 season. Holiday said there have been discussions about the deal throughout the season. He feels that things went well.
“Honestly, it’s a blessing. This is my 15th year. I’m 33,” Holiday said. “The opportunity that God gave me to be able to play for so many years already and to make sure that I’m healthy and that the organization sees me and appreciates what I bring to the team is a blessing to me. At the end of the day, I’m happy that we managed to make it before the playoffs. If it had happened afterward, I still would have been happy. I still would have been locked in .But I’m just really happy and really blessed.
The Celtics signed all of their starting five and several top rotation players during the 2025-26 season. Knowing the Celtics will keep their core intact is a plus, Holiday said.
“I think knowing that whatever we build here and whatever happens this season is going to continue to grow and have better seasons down the road,” Holiday said. “But, honestly, I think during this time — yeah, I was thinking about it but I would say the most important thing for me is I just wanted to continue to show the city and my team that I want to be here and that I want to play whether I signed a contract or not.
Holiday, who was acquired from the Trail Blazers via trade in October, said he’s grown to love Boston in the short time he’s been here.
“I think for the most part, ever since I got here and in the situation that I got here, it’s just been love,” Holiday said. “The city of Boston, not just them, but the organization made it very easy to navigate and get across in a time that was a little stressful for us. So, it’s just an appreciation and we love the city. We love this organization, its players and what they represent. We are doing our best to try to get another banner.
Football influence
Coach Joe Mazzulla visited Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola in February. Mazzulla said at the time that he studied Guardiola and considered him one of the best coaches at all levels and in all sports.
Mazzulla was asked before Thursday’s match if there were any other European coaches who had influenced him.
“I would say the Europa League in general for about 10 to 12 years,” Mazzulla said. “There’s always been that relationship in terms of the things that play out there, the slicing, the pick and roll spacing, I would even say the fouls at the end of the game.
“Some of these trends have evolved in between, so no one in particular, but I think the perspective in which the Europa League is sort of driven and run is something you can always learn from.”
Auerbach Prize
Derrick White has been named the winner of the 2024 Red Auerbach Award. The award is presented annually to the Celtics player or coach who best exemplifies the spirit of what it means to be a Celtic on and off the court. Past winners include Jaylen Brown (2023), Jayson Tatum (2021), Paul Pierce (2006, 2013) and Kevin Garnett (2008, 2012).
Boston
