The Portland Trail Blazers are set to regain an important piece of their rotation as Jrue Holiday is expected to return Sunday against the New York Knicks.
The veteran guard has been sidelined for nearly two months while recovering from a calf strain, leaving a noticeable gap in Portland’s backcourt organization.
During his absence, the coaching staff, led by Tiago Splitter, was forced to improvise.
Deni Avdija took on extended playmaking duties, often initiating the offense, while rookie two-way guard Caleb Love filled in as a secondary option.
While those adjustments kept the lineup functional, they also stretched players into unfamiliar roles.
Holiday’s return should immediately improve ball security, perimeter defense, and shot creation.
His experience allows Portland to settle into more defined roles, particularly late in possessions, and his defensive instincts add another layer of reliability on the perimeter.
Jrue Holiday To Return Sunday; Kris Murray Out Indefinitely https://t.co/RzpXAVrR7F
— RealGM (@RealGM) January 11, 2026
