Celtics’ Porzingis Ends Season in Turmoil Following Illness
NEW YORK — Kristaps Porzingis faced a challenging end to the Celtics’ season, plagued by a mysterious viral illness that severely impacted his performance during the Eastern Conference semifinals. Following Boston’s 119-81 elimination by the Knicks, Porzingis shared his struggles, stating, “I’m gassed right now… it was just extremely weird.” Despite participating in all playoff games, his minutes were capped at an average of 15.5 during the series, leaving him feeling like a shadow of his usual self.
His limited contributions were evident as Boston squandered significant leads in critical matchups. Frustration mounted as Porzingis expressed his disappointment, particularly after teammate Jayson Tatum’s exit due to injury: “Not being able to help this team more… really sucks.”
Postseason stats reveal Porzingis ranked last among players with 50+ field-goal attempts in percentage metrics. Although facing energy "crashes," he continued to play, guided by medical assurance that no serious harm would ensue. Looking ahead, Porzingis aims to clarify his health over the offseason and targets a return to play for Latvia in EuroBasket 2025. With one year remaining on his $30.7 million contract, his future with the Celtics remains uncertain as roster changes loom.
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