The Boston Celtics came into this matchup against the Lakers knowing they had their work cut out for them. But now? Things are looking even trickier. Jrue Holiday is playing through a mallet finger injury, and let’s just say—it’s not looking great. Add in the fact that Kristaps Porzingis is already out, and suddenly, the Celtics are walking into a heavyweight fight without two of their best weapons.

Holiday picked up the injury back on February 26 against the Pistons, and ever since, he’s had to play with his right pinky in a splint, taped up like a battle-worn soldier. Now, for most guys, a pinky injury wouldn’t seem like a big deal. But this? This is different. It’s a tendon issue, which means it messes with how he straightens his finger—bad news for a guy who relies on ball-handling, passing, and shooting.

The moment the game started, you could tell something was off. His first pass? Too low, easy turnover. Then there was a layup—a shot he’d normally take with his right hand—that he awkwardly switched to his left. A little later, another left-handed pass got swatted away like it was nothing. It wasn’t just bad luck. Something was clearly wrong.

An eyewitness put it best: “Not sure if it’s because he’s a little hesitant or just doesn’t want to get hurt again, but Jrue Holiday is definitely shying away from using his right hand.“

The Celtics’ medical staff is keeping an eye on him, but here’s the thing—mallet finger injuries usually take weeks to heal. He might have to play through this for a while, and if tonight is any indication, that’s going to be a challenge.

Porzingis’ Absence Adds to Celtics’ Concerns

If Holiday’s struggles weren’t enough, Boston is already missing another key piece. Porzingis is still out, and that’s a major problem. His ability to stretch the floor and protect the paint is exactly what the Celtics need in a game like this, especially against a team that has LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

Without him, Boston is leaning on Al Horford and Luke Kornet. Now, Horford has been around forever, and he’s still got plenty left in the tank, but against this Lakers squad? That’s a tall order—literally.

Despite all these issues, the Celtics aren’t folding. The game is tied 33-33 after the first quarter, and Jayson Tatum is wasting no time putting on a show. He’s already got 25+ points, knocking down three shots from deep.

Boston came into this one with a 45-18 record, sitting near the top of the Eastern Conference, trying to repeat as champions. Meanwhile, the Lakers are on fire—eight straight wins, 40-21 overall, and looking like they’re hitting their stride at just the right time. And let’s be real—Celtics vs. Lakers? It always means something, but this one? This one has the feel of a potential Finals preview.

So now the question is—how does Boston adjust? If Holiday keeps struggling, do they scale back his minutes? Can they survive without Porzingis? The playoffs are right around the corner, and this team has been through plenty of adversity before. But this? This feels like a real test.

For now, all eyes are on Jrue Holiday. He’s one of the toughest guys in the league, but this injury isn’t going away overnight. The Celtics need him, and if he can’t be himself, things could get dicey.