Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis Faces Lingering Illness Amid Playoff Challenges
The Boston Globe
Porzingis’s Performance in Game 5
In a tense Game 5, Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis was limited to just 12 minutes in the first half before spending the remainder of the game on the bench. Despite the Celtics securing a pivotal victory to keep their playoff hopes alive, there is growing concern surrounding Porzingis’s health, specifically a viral illness that has been affecting his energy levels throughout the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the New York Knicks.
History of Playoff Injuries
Kristaps Porzingis has a longstanding history of postseason injury struggles. Last season, he was sidelined during both the Eastern Conference semifinals and the finals, dealing with a calf strain followed by an ankle injury that required offseason surgery. His struggles date back further, including a torn meniscus during his first playoff series with the Dallas Mavericks in 2020.
Health Concerns Rise
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla revealed that Porzingis had been experiencing difficulty breathing during the game. This added an alarming dimension to an already concerning situation, particularly as the Celtics continue their quest for an 18th championship ring. “He couldn’t breathe, so he was available if absolutely necessary,” Mazzulla explained. “That was just a decision between me and him. He wanted to be out there, but we had to be cautious.”
Impact on Team Performance
Although the Celtics dominated Game 5 with a blowout victory, Porzingis’s contribution was minimal, recording only one point and one rebound. Throughout the playoffs, he has struggled significantly, averaging 8.1 points and 21.9 minutes—both career lows. His rebounding has slightly improved to 4.6 per game, but he is blocking half as many shots as in previous postseasons. Moreover, the seasoned big man’s shooting percentages have plummeted:
- Field Goal Percentage: 32%
- Three-Point Percentage: 12.5%
- Free Throw Percentage: 69.8%
Such a decline in his offensive efficiency is a stark contrast to his established playoff averages, where he previously shot over 46.7% from the field and maintained a 37.5% success rate from three-point range. Porzingis’s ability to stretch the floor has been crucial for the Celtics, providing them with the spacing needed to maximize their offensive strategies.
Future Expectations
As the series continues, the Celtics face numerous challenges, not the least of which is Porzingis’s health. With his on-and-off symptoms affecting his performance, the team has had to adapt quickly. He has increasingly been replaced by Luke Kornet during matches, especially as Porzingis’s struggles became evident in Game 5 when he seemed physically out of sorts.
Porzingis’s previous four games had shown a slight upward trend in his performance, but the setback in Game 5 serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of recovery when battling an illness.
The Celtics will need to evaluate his situation carefully as they prepare for the critical upcoming matches against the Knicks. As Boston strives to remain competitive in the playoffs, watching Porzingis’s recovery and performance will be essential for the team’s future success.
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Celtics, Kristaps Porzingis, NBA Playoffs, Eastern Conference, Joe Mazzulla, viral illness, basketball injuries, Knicks, sports news, Boston Celtics