Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday, who has missed 107 games over the last three seasons because of injuries, will be missing games again this year for a much different reason. Holiday’s wife, soccer player Lauren Holiday, was diagnosed with a brain tumor and will be having surgery after she gives birth to the couple’s first child. At that point, Holiday will be taking a leave of absence from the Pelicans to take care of both. Jeff Duncan of The Times Picayune has the story…
The good news was the tumor was operable and not a threat to the Holidays’ unborn daughter. After successful surgery, doctors were confident Lauren would return to full health.
The brain surgery, however, would need to wait until after Lauren gave birth, pushing the procedure and her recovery well into the NBA regular season. Consequently, Holiday, finally healthy after an injury-riddled three-year tenure with the Pelicans, is expected to miss an indefinite period of time during the regular season while serving as a caretaker for his wife and newborn.
“My family comes before basketball,” said Holiday, 26. “I’m obviously blessed to play this game and be in the position I am in, but my wife is the most important thing in the world to me. She comes before anything else.”
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It’s unclear how much time Holiday will miss this season. Lauren’s due date is mid-October. If possible, the couple hopes to induce the birth early — perhaps as soon as late September — to expedite her treatment.
Doctors plan to perform Lauren’s brain surgery about six weeks after the birth. Both procedures are expected to be conducted at Duke University Hospital. From there, Jrue’s return to the Pelicans and basketball activities will be determined by her recovery.
