Is Jrue Holiday about to be the Trail Blazers' savior? Portland fans, hold your breath – there's finally some good news on the injury front! After a prolonged absence, star guard Jrue Holiday is reportedly nearing his return to the court. But will it be enough to turn the Blazers' season around? Let's dive into the details.
The Trail Blazers officially announced Thursday, January 1st, that Holiday is making significant progress in his recovery from a right calf strain. For those keeping count, that's 22 consecutive games he's been sidelined. The team has given him the green light to resume on-court basketball activities, but here's the crucial part: his actual return date hinges entirely on how his calf responds to the increased workload. It's a wait-and-see situation, Blazers fans.
This season, Holiday, now 35, has only managed to suit up for 12 games. Despite the limited playing time, he's been putting up solid numbers, averaging 16.7 points, 8.7 assists, and 5.3 rebounds. This is his first season with Portland, and the team undoubtedly misses his veteran presence and all-around game.
But Holiday isn't the only Blazer battling injuries. The team also provided updates on several other key players:
Jerami Grant: The forward is currently listed as day-to-day with left Achilles tendonitis. He's already missed the last seven games. Good news is, he's traveling with the team on their current three-game road trip, which kicked off with a tough 124-95 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Grant, 31, has been a consistent scorer for Portland this season, averaging 20.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 26 games. This marks his fourth year with the Trail Blazers.
Matisse Thybulle: Thybulle, 28, has had a rough go of it. After injuring his left thumb against the Utah Jazz on October 29th and undergoing ligament surgery two days later, he's been gradually increasing his activity levels. However, and this is the part most people miss, he's also dealing with a tendon issue in his right knee. Before being sidelined, Thybulle averaged 5.0 points and 2.5 steals in just four games. Remember, the Blazers acquired him from the Philadelphia 76ers at the trade deadline back in 2022-23.
Scoot Henderson: Young guard Scoot Henderson, 21, has yet to play this season due to a left hamstring injury sustained back in July. He's started non-contact on-court basketball activities, which is a step in the right direction. A re-evaluation is scheduled in two weeks to determine his progress. Since being drafted third overall by the Trail Blazers in the 2023 NBA Draft, Henderson has averaged 13.3 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.1 rebounds in 128 career games (42 starts).
Currently, the Trail Blazers hold a 14-20 record. Their immediate schedule includes a Friday game against the New Orleans Pelicans and a Saturday matchup with the San Antonio Spurs.
So, what does all this mean for the Blazers? Holiday's return would certainly provide a boost, but it's clear the team is dealing with a multitude of injury issues. Can Holiday single-handedly elevate the team's performance, or are deeper changes needed? Some might argue that relying too heavily on a 35-year-old coming off an injury is a risky strategy. But here's where it gets controversial... others might say his veteran leadership and playmaking are exactly what this young team needs to stay competitive. What are your thoughts? Do you think Jrue Holiday's return will be the turning point for the Trail Blazers, or are there bigger problems that need to be addressed? Let us know in the comments!
