Boston, MA
Examining how Jrue Holiday will be remembered in Boston Celtics history
If there’s one play Celtics fans will remember from Jrue Holiday’s two-year tenure in Boston, it’s going to be the steal on Andrew Nembhard in Game 3 of the 2024 East Finals. The Pacers had a chance to snatch the win, but instead, Holiday’s clutch steal helped secure the victory. Then, later, Holiday helped win the 2024 NBA championship.
Or, on a funnier note, how Boston president Brad Stevens looked at Holiday at his introductory news conference was also amusing. It was clear the Celtics were thrilled to land Holiday from the Trail Blazers in the wake of the Damian Lillard.
In a somewhat strange twist, Holiday is going right back to Portland. The Celtics shipped him out to the Blazers in exchange for Anfernee Simons and a pair of future second-round picks. The trade was cap-motivated as the C’s get long-term salary relief by getting out of the rest of Holiday’s contract.
Holiday will likely be remembered fondly by Celtics fans even though he was only a part of the team for two seasons. The veteran guard was a key piece of the 2024 title squad as he elevated his game significantly throughout the playoff run. Holiday was exactly what the C’s needed during his first season, knocking down 3-pointers while living up to his reputation as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league.
Now, Holiday did see his offensive production see a dip throughout his second season. He was also slowed down by some injuries. His defense was still stellar during the playoffs, but the Celtics were upset in the second round to the Knicks.
Ultimately, considering the Celtics needing to shed salary, dealing Holiday felt natural considering his contract status and how he still clearly had trade value. Perhaps the path could’ve been different had Jayson Tatum not ruptured his Achilles tendon. But with the Celtics looking to retool this offseason, Holiday was a luxury at this point.
All in all, while it was short, it was just about the perfect tenure for Holiday. He was able to come in and affect a great Celtics squad on their way to Banner No. 18. Holiday wasn’t relied upon for much offensive production, and his defensive versatility was a consistent tool for the Celtics. When Holiday matched up against a center on some possessions, it allowed the C’s some much-needed flexibility.
Part of Holiday’s value, too, is that he’s known around the NBA as a winner. That’s what happens when a player wins a championship for two different franchises. The Blazers clearly view him favorably as they’ll hope he can mentor the young guards on their roster like Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. The Blazers are also a team on the rise as they look to take steps towards the playoffs with Holiday part of the mix.
FIFA World Cup host cities lay out security plans ahead of matches
Host cities ramp up security and anti-human trafficking efforts ahead of FIFA World Cup matches across the U.S.
The FIFA World Cup is coming to Massachusetts, and when it comes to having a place for people to hang out together, there will be a free fan zone where everyone can celebrate the big event.
Seven World Cup matches will take place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA this summer, and the first one is right around the corner, to be played on June 13, with Scotland taking on Haiti.
Fan Zones are a public space to watch the game for people who don’t have tickets to the actual game. Held in public places, they broadcast the mach on giant screens to offer an immersive experience to watch the game, according to FIFA>
“At the heart of FIFA Fan Festival Boston, (a) Cultural Showcase will ignite the stage with a vibrant celebration of the spirit, creativity, and cultural heartbeat of Boston and communities across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” FIFA said.
Where will the fan zone be located when the World Cup games start in just 11 days?
Where is the World Cup fan zone going to be in Massachusetts?
The official FIFA Fan Festival for the 2026 World Cup in Boston will be located at Boston City Hall Plaza at 1 City Hall Sq. Boston, MA.
“The festival will run daily from June 12 through June 27, offering live match broadcasts, cultural showcases, food vendors, and entertainment,” according to FIFA.
The fan zone will open between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and will stay open until after dark, between 8:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. according to reports.
Activities at the fan zone
Here are some of the offerings at the fan zone in Boston, according to the FIFA website:
- Live broadcasts: Giant outdoor screens that broadcast tournament matches in high-definition.
- Entertainment & music: Live concerts, DJ sets, and performances celebrating global culture.
- Interactive activations: Skills challenges, mini-pitches, inflatable games, and sponsor booths.
- Food & merch: International food stalls, local beverage offerings, and official tournament merchandise.
How to go to the fan zone
While the game is free, you do need to register in advance.
“You can select which days and matches you plan to attend through the FIFA World Cup Boston 2026 website or the Meet Boston events page. Up to six people can register on a single application,” the World Cup Boston website says.
So you’re saying there’s a chance? Despite an abysmal start to the 2026 season, the Boston Red Sox remain in the mix for a playoff spot. At least according to FanGraphs, who gives the club a 27.1% chance of reaching the postseason.
Boston’s likely path to October means winning the wild card. FanGraphs gives the Red Sox a 26.1% chance of winning an American League wild card. The team currently sits threes games back of the third and final wild card, despite a record of 25-33.
Don’t look for a division title this year in Beantown. FanGraphs gives the Red Sox a 1% chance of winning the AL East. Which makes sense, since the team currently sits in last place, 11.5 games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays.
But SI’s Tom Verducci and Will Laws thinks Boston has a much tougher chance of making the playoffs. In their deep dive of the postseason, the pair came up with what they call the “Line of Doom.” According to their research, a team that starts “no better than 23–31 and your season is almost over only one-third of the way through the schedule.” Here’s why.
“In the wild card era (since 1995), only one team made the postseason starting with less than 22 wins in the first 54 games, the 2005 Astros (20–34). Of the 231 teams to start 23–31 or worse, only seven made the playoffs—once every 33 times,” Verducci and Laws note.
“Since the postseason field expanded in 2022, 31 teams began 23–31 or worse. Only one, the 2024 Mets (22–32), made the playoffs. That leaves such slow starters with a 1 in 31 chance—virtually the same as the larger sample size,” the pair add.
“The fact is one-third of the season does a good job separating pretenders from contenders. And as the calendar flips to June, understand that the playoff spots won’t change very much. In the four seasons with 12 playoff spots up for grabs, teams in playoff position when May ended kept a playoff spot 73% of the time—35 of 48 teams,” Verducci and Laws conclude.
So what does this have to do with the Red Sox, you ask? It’s Boston’s record after 54 games: 23-31. The “Line of Doom.”
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