The Milwaukee Bucks made a big splash this season when they acquired Jrue Holiday from the New Orleans Pelicans, which ended up being a mega-four-team deal. Unfortunately, Holiday did not have much chance of joining his new team.
Due to the league’s health and safety protocols, Holiday was limited to just 23 games in his first season with the Bucks. Luckily for Milwaukee, he is on his way back and will probably only play against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, according to a report by Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN.
Holiday has been on the sidelines for nearly three weeks and has missed the Bucks’ last ten games. Although nothing has been confirmed, such a long absence could mean that he tested positive for COVID-19. Khris Middleton’s remarks following the team’s victory over the Denver Nuggets earlier this month confirm this.
“You’re definitely thinking about it, especially for Jrue,” Middleton said. “It’s nothing to play with. And once he has tested positive, you immediately think of his health, his safety and then his family back home. He also has small children that he has to worry about. I think it was a big one. “Part of what went through my mind before the game. Just think of him and his family at home.”
Without Holiday in the series, the Bucks were hot and cold and recorded a 5-5 record that included a losing streak of five games and a current winning streak of four games. The return of Holiday will give them a big boost, as they want to get five tips in a row on Sunday. They will especially need Holiday’s defensive ability against the Clippers.
Obviously, his absence is not the only factor, but just look at this difference on the defensive side:
|
Before starting the protocol |
108.9 |
8th |
|
During holiday absence |
113.1 |
19th |
Holiday, who averaged 1.9 steals per career per game before entering the protocol, is the Bucks’ best defender and is often responsible for protecting the team’s primary attacking option. It may take a while before he can do it again 30 minutes a night, but just having his presence on the floor again will be huge for the Bucks.