3) Jrue Holiday’s game-winning steal
Jrue Holiday played hero for the Celtics in Game 3 of the ECF. Just moments after he put Boston ahead in the final minute with an and-one layup, Holiday picked Andrew Nembhard’s pocket for a game-winning steal on the road.
JRUE HOLIDAY WITH THE STEAL ‼️
— NBA (@NBA) May 26, 2024
CLAMPS. IN. THE. CLUTCH.
BOS up 1 with 1.1 left on ABC pic.twitter.com/w0lOiBeuOb
The two-time champ put his All-Defensive chops on full display with arguably the best defensive play of the postseason. Holiday promptly sunk two free throws before Aaron Nesmith threw up a prayer from the corner that missed, sealing a 3-0 lead for the Celtics.
Typically as cool and calm as they come, Holiday couldn’t help but show his emotions after his electric steal. The veteran point guard smiled and roared in celebration as he helped the Celtics inch closer to their eventual championship.
It took Holiday just one season to cement himself as an important part of Celtics history. After taking a back seat as Boston’s fifth option during the regular season, Holiday activated All-Star mode in the playoffs. He averaged 18.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in the conference finals. For the entire postseason, he shot 50.3% from the field, 40.2% from three, and 95.5% from the free-throw line.
Holiday served as a primary ball handler and playmaker for the Celtics, and he put together the most efficient shooting season on corner threes in NBA history. Even so, he made his biggest mark for Boston’s title run on the defensive end.