Sure enough, head coach Joe Mazzulla did not hesitate to play Holiday heavy minutes in the overtime loss to the Hawks. In 37 minutes, he scored 13 points along with seven rebounds and five assists. As usual with Holiday, the numbers didn’t tell the overall story as his tenacious defense was invaluable in what ended up being a back-and-forth affair highlighted by a 44-point night from Atlanta’s DeJounte Murray (who, in storybook fashion, capped things off by hitting the game-winner in OT).

Holiday tends to be the most overlooked member of Boston’s starting five. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, obviously, have been the team’s engine since the end of the ill-fated Kyrie Irving era. Derrick White emerged as an All-Star candidate this year. Meanwhile, Holiday’s late arrival this offseason was overshadowed by the team’s acquisition of big man Kristaps Porzingis, whose larger-than-life presence has literally revamped the Celtics’ entire look.

Because he’s been surrounded by these impact players, Holiday’s offensive stats have been relatively modest since his arrival to town. He’s been averaging 12.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists this season. Given that the Celtics have the NBA’s best offense, however, that hasn’t been his fault. It’s not even his job.