The Boston Celtics have been fortunate to hold the top position, ensuring their playoff berth and enabling them to rest key players in recent games. However, guard Jrue Holiday has been in particular need of a break following an injury he suffered last Sunday.
In Boston’s dominant 130-104 victory against the Washington Wizards, Jrue Holiday suffered a sprained right shoulder joint due to a hard hit on a screen, according to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe.
“Holiday said Friday that his absence is about more than simply being cautious,” Himmelsbach reported. “He told the Globe he has been experiencing ‘dead arm.”
The “dead arm” injury is prevalent among athletes and can significantly affect their throwing motion. Consequently, Jrue Holiday’s shooting form is likely to be affected, causing discomfort or inconsistency.
Healthline defines “dead arm syndrome” as pain or weakness experienced in the upper arm during a throwing motion. This condition can occur gradually or suddenly, such as when the arm accelerates to throw a ball. The repetitive force exerted during activities like throwing can strain the rotator cuff, leading to injury and the symptoms associated with dead arm syndrome.
Jrue Holiday’s injury status with Celtics
Since Sunday, Holiday has been sidelined due to this injury, causing him to miss three consecutive games. Fortunately, the Celtics maintain a strong record of 55-14 overall with a significant 10-and-a-half-game lead in the Eastern Conference. Despite being a first-year Celtic, Holiday has managed to stay relatively healthy this season, only sitting out nine games so far despite his veteran status. There is currently no set timeline for his return, but he aims to come back as soon as possible to avoid disrupting his rhythm, as noted by Himmelsbach.
Throughout the 2023-24 season, Holiday has been consistent with his 3-point shooting, hitting a career-high 44.5% from beyond the arc. This achievement is notable given that he is in his 15th year in the NBA. Alongside his impressive shooting, the 33-year-old is averaging 12.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 33.1 minutes per game.