After Jrue Holiday’s recent absence with a mallet finger, he has now missed 15 games for the Celtics. Although their 12-4 record without him is impressive, it doesn’t tell the whole story.
That record is a testament to Boston’s incredible depth and defensive versatility. Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum have all stepped up as elite perimeter defenders, while Al Horford and Kristaps Porziu0146u0123is have anchored the interior. The Celtics’ defensive identity remains one of the best in the league, even without Holiday, a six-time All-Defense award winner. However, a deeper dive into those four losses reveals a troubling pattern: opposing guards have repeatedly taken advantage of his absence.