As expected, the Milwaukee Bucks fans in attendance at the Fiserv Forum for Thursday’s clash against the Boston Celtics welcomed Jrue Holiday with open arms. This was the first time the two-time All-Star returned to Milwaukee since departing in the summer, and true enough, emotions were running high entering the highly anticipated contest.
Holiday got himself a standing ovation as soon as he was introduced as part of Boston’s starting lineup, which was followed by a touching tribute video early in the game.
Jrue clearly appreciated the gesture.
Jrue Holiday Reacts to Welcome from Milwaukee Bucks Fans
Holiday spoke to reporters after the game and naturally, he was asked to share his reaction to the warm welcome. The five-time All-Defense guard had a heartwarming response:
“It was awesome,” he said, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “My stint here, I had a great time and it was really fun. had some great memories and they shared some of those memories on the jumbotron, so it was kinda cool to see that. The fans here have always been great. They’ve always been supportive of me and my family and the team here, so it was definitely a fun place to play.”
When asked about the tribute, video, however, Holiday admitted that he wasn’t really able to take it all in. The fact that the Celtics were in the midst of a humiliating blowout, for one, distracted him from soaking up the moment:
“A little bit,” he said. “We was getting out a** kicked though, so I was kinda locked into the game trying to figure that out. But I saw some of it. And again, I just appreciate what the Bucks have done for me and my family. Everything that we’ve been through, the city of Milwaukee, what it means to me and my family, so it was cool to come back. It was cool to have the video, but I’m glad it’s over.”
And here is the Bucks tribute video for Jrue Holiday. pic.twitter.com/ktNY4yD2UA
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) January 12, 2024
Here's the #Bucks tribute video for #Celtics guard Jrue Holiday, who's time in Milwaukee of course includes helping them win the 2021 title.pic.twitter.com/lgENfuo1rW
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) January 12, 2024
Holiday finished Thursday’s blowout with six points on 2-of-9 shooting, four rebounds, and two assists in just 19 minutes played. The Celtics lost badly, 135-102.
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