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As the Knicks made yet another soul-crushing run in the fourth quarter Wednesday, all Kristaps Porzingis could do was watch.
The Celtics’ big man is dealing with an unspecified illness that has zapped him of his energy and limited him to just 26:51 across the first two games, including just 13:53 in Game 2.
Porzingis exited the game with 8:27 remaining and Celtics ahead by 14 points and when the buzzer sounded the Knicks had pulled off an improbable 21-6 run to steal a 91-90 victory.
Not being able to help “kills” the ex-Knicks star.
“I’m just dealing with some — I don’t know how to call it, but I’m just not feeling my best,” Porzingis said after Wednesday’s shocking collapse. “Not feeling my best at all.
“It kills me inside that it’s happening at this moment, and what I’m super appreciative is about is the support I have in the inside, also probably from the fans. But, especially here, inside the organization, and in this tough moment for me, to not be able to be with the guys, no injury or nothing, just not feeling my best and it’s tough for me, honestly, but who cares? Nobody feels sorry for us, sorry for me, and we have to keep going.”
Porzingis speaking with the media after Game 2. @CLNSMEDIA/YouTubeKristaps Porzingis says he's "not feeling (his) best" as he deals with an illness:
"It just kills me inside that it's happening in this moment." pic.twitter.com/bDSYwrw3n1
Porzingis has been dealing with this ailment since the close of the regular season, but it has especially reared its head during this second-round series.
The talented big man played at least 21 minutes each night in the Celtics’ five-game first-round series victory over the Magic.
Against the Knicks, though, he played just 12:58 in Game 1 with all his action coming in the first half. He missed all four of his shots and did not score, though he added four rebounds.
The Celtics labeled Porzingis as “probable” for Game 2, but he did not start. He appeared in each quarter and tallied eight points on 3-of-5 shooting, while again grabbing four boards.
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His absence has played a role in the Knicks’ two upset wins since the Celtics’ offense and defense are changed by his presence, since he can protect the rim and shoot 3’s.
Al Horford has seemingly been over-extended in Porzingis’ absence, playing all 12 minutes in the fourth quarter Wednesday and scoring two points on 1-of-6 shooting.
Horford, 38, added just five points in 18:54 in the second half of Game 1.
Porzingis has eight points through two games. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post“I’ve had ups and downs up until this point, had a big crash now,” Porzingis said. “My energy, my everything hasn’t been good but who cares? I have to look forward and it will get better from this point on.”
The Celtics may not be able to utilize Porzingis as they would like the remainder of the series, which provides even more of an uphill climb for the defending champions.
Perhaps one of these two games goes differently had Porzingis, who torched the Knicks for 34 points in April, contributed more than just 8:10 in the second half across the two games.
Said Porzingis: “It sucks really bad right now, but we got a lot of basketball to play and let’s see where this goes.”
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