Inside The Celtics

Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis Offers Brutal Health Update After Game 2

Alex Kirschenbaum|
May 7, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) and forward OG Anunoby (8) defend against Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) in the second half during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
May 7, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) and forward OG Anunoby (8) defend against Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) in the second half during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

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Following a second straight 20-point collapse on Wednesday night, the reigning champion Boston Celtics suddenly find themselves in a surprising 0-2 hole during their second round playoff series against the New York Knicks.

The Celtics fell, 91-90, and now head to Madison Square Garden for Games 3 and 4. New York is in the driver's seat, in a stunner.

Beyond All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each forgetting to shoot for a half, center Kristaps Porzingis' health has been a major issue in this series against New York.

Per Zack Cox of The Boston Herald, the 7-foot-2 big man has been sick since Game 1. He played just 13 minutes in that contest before being shut down for the night, scoring no point.

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In Game 2, Porzingis didn't suit up much longer in Game 2, playing just 14 minutes off the bench behind newly elevated 38-year-old starter Al Horford. Porzingis scored eight points on 3-of-5 shooting from the floor (1-of-1 shooting from deep) and 1-of-1 shooting from the foul line, and grabbed four rebounds.

“I’m dealing with some, I don’t know how to call it, but I’m just not feeling my best,” Porzingis said. “I’m not feeling my best at all, but it just kills me inside that it’s happening in this moment, and what I’m super appreciative about is about the support that I have on the inside, and also probably from the fans."

Porzingis initially suffered from an illness earlier this season, and it seems to have returned at the worst possible time now.

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"I’ve had, like, ups and downs throughout up until this point,” Porzingis said. “Just now, I had a big crash now, and my energy, my everything, hasn’t been good. But who cares? I have to look forward, and it’ll get better from this point on.”

Porzingis has been floated as a potential trade piece for Boston's new ownership group to offload this summer for savings. He hasn't been healthy during either of his two postseasons with the club, although this time the issue isn't an injury, but an illness.

More Boston Celtics News:

Old Jayson Tatum Comments Resurface Ahead of Celtics vs Knicks Series

Stephen A Smith Rips Ongoing Criticism of Celtics' Jayson Tatum

Joe Mazzulla Reacts to Celtics Playing Knicks in Second Round

Shams Charania Expects Big Changes For Celtics This Offseason

For more news and notes on the Boston Celtics, visit Boston Celtics on SI.

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Alex Kirschenbaum
ALEX KIRSCHENBAUM

Currently also a scribe for Newsweek, Hoops Rumors, The Sporting News and "Gremlins" director Joe Dante's film site Trailers From Hell, Alex is an alum of Men's Journal, Grizzlies fan site Grizzly Bear Blues, and Bulls fan sites Blog-A-Bull and Pippen Ain't Easy, among others.

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