Jrue Holiday Honored as NBA’s Social Justice Champion Amid Boston Celtics’ Playoff Push

The Boston Celtics are regrouping after a tough Game 1 loss to the New York Knicks in the second round of the NBA playoffs, but the team found reason to celebrate off the court with Jrue Holiday’s latest honor. The Celtics guard was named the 2025 recipient of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award, recognizing his impactful work beyond basketball. The NBA announced the award on Wednesday, highlighting Holiday’s dedication to advancing equality and supporting underserved communities.The Boston Celtics organization shared their excitement on social media, posting, "A true champion on and off the court. Congrats Jrue on winning the 2025 NBA #SocialJusticeChampion award."Holiday stood out among a group of notable finalists, including Bam Adebayo, Harrison Barnes, CJ McCollum, and Chris Boucher. The award honors players who carry on Abdul-Jabbar’s legacy by driving meaningful change for historically disadvantaged groups. The NBA credited Jrue Holiday’s "Jrue and Lauren Holiday Social Impact Fund" for distributing over $5.3 million in grants to support education, economic equity, and social justice initiatives. His off-court contributions have made a tangible difference in communities across the country. This isn’t the first time Holiday has been recognized for his character and leadership. Earlier in the playoffs, he received the NBA Sportsmanship Award, beating out finalists like Jarrett Allen, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Kyrie Irving. While making waves with his philanthropy, Holiday has also been a steady presence for the Celtics on the court. During the 2024-25 season, he averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, providing veteran stability for a championship-contending team. Despite his individual accolades, Jrue Holiday’s focus remains on helping Boston bounce back after their 108-105 Game 1 loss to the Knicks. The Boston Celtics will look to even the series in Game 2 as they continue their playoff journey.Also read: Cleveland Cavaliers give crucial update about Donovan Mitchell and two other star players ahead of Game 3With his latest award, Holiday reinforces his reputation as a player who excels in all facets of the game—both as a competitor and a leader in social change. The Boston Celtics will need his poise and determination as they fight to keep their championship hopes alive.