Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Sees 11 minutes in Game 6
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Porzingis closed Friday's 119-81 loss to New York in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with four points (1-4 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds and one block across 11 minutes.
Throughout the postseason, and especially in this series, it's been very evident that Porzingis is far from 100 percent. The franchise will be hopeful that he can recover his health over the long offseason. Although he had his fair share of injuries in the regular season, Porzingis was terrific when healthy, as he averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 blocks in 42 regular-season contests.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Moving to bench role
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Porzingis is not in the starting lineup for Game 6 against the Knicks on Friday.
Porzingis has struggled massively in the series and was outplayed by Luke Kornet in the Game 5 win Wednesday, so it's not entirely surprising to see the former move to a bench role. Porzingis is averaging 4.2 points and 3.4 rebounds across 16.4 minutes per game in the series while starting in just two of the six outings.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Not on injury report
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Porzingis (illness) is not on the injury report for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals versus the Knicks on Friday.
Coach Joe Mazzulla said Porzingis "couldn't breathe" during Game 5, and the big man wasn't able to play in the second half after logging 12 minutes in the first half with a single point to his name. Porzingis hasn't looked like himself in a long time, and with Luke Kornet shining in Game 5, rotation changes could be on the table.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Trouble breathing in Game 5
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Coach Joe Mazzulla said Porzingis "couldn't breathe" and wasn't available for the second half unless it was "absolutely necessary" in Wednesday's 127-102 win over the Knicks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Porzingis logged one point (0-3 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), one rebound and one block across 12 minutes.
Porzingis hasn't looked like himself during the series as he continues to battle an illness. It seemed like the issue subsided after he played 24 minutes in Game 4 and was part of Wednesday's starting lineup. However, the illness continues to plague Porzingis, and the Celtics held him out of the second half due to his difficulty breathing. His absence allowed Luke Kornet to play 26 minutes, and Kornet logged 10 points, nine rebounds and seven blocks. Porzingis' status should be monitored ahead of Friday's Game 6 in New York.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Starting Game 5
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Porzingis will enter the starting lineup for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals versus the Knicks on Wednesday, Sean Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.
With Jayson Tatum (Achilles) sidelined, the Celtics will roll with a traditional frontcourt with Porzingis next to Al Horford. It's no secret that Porzingis hasn't been 100 percent after his illness, so it will be interesting to see how he fares with increased usage Wednesday.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Struggles continue in Game 4
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Porzingis racked up seven points (2-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-6 FT), four rebounds and one steal in 24 minutes during Monday's 121-113 loss to the Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Porzingis has played off the bench in the Celtics' last three games and had another dismal showing against his former team, failing to reach double-digit points for the fourth time in four games in the series. The Celtics need more from Porzingis, especially if Jayson Tatum (lower leg) ends up missing time after departing Monday's game with an injury. Porzingis is averaging 5.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in the series.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Limited again in Game 2 loss
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Porzingis contributed eight points (3-5 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT) and four rebounds over 14 minutes during Wednesday's 91-90 loss to the Knicks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Porzingis came off the bench as he continues to deal with an illness, logging fewer than 15 minutes for the second straight game. The star center missed eight games in early March due to illness, and it appears it is still bothering him. Boston now trails 2-0 with the series heading back to New York. While it is likely Porzingis will play in some capacity, it is unclear just how impactful he will be moving forward.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Cleared to play Game 2
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Porzingis (illness) is available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Knicks on Wednesday, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Porzingis played 13 minutes in Monday's Game 1 loss to New York and didn't see the court in the second half and overtime due to an illness. He was able to participate in Wednesday morning's shootaround and has been cleared to return for Game 2, though he'll come off the bench while Al Horford shifts to the starting lineup. Porzingis averaged 12.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.8 steals over 27.4 minutes during the Celtics' first-round series against the Magic. However, he connected on just 35.2 percent of his field-goal attempts (including 11.8 percent from three on 3.4 3PA/G).
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Bench role Wednesday
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Porzingis will come off the bench during Wednesday's game against the Knicks, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Porzingis will be in the second unit Wednesday for the first time during these NBA playoffs. The veteran scorer played only 13 minutes during Game 1 due to an illness, which has resulted in Al Horford replacing him in the starting lineup for Game 2.
Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Present at shootaround
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Porzingis (illness) was present at Wednesday's morning shootaround, Jay King of The Athletic reports.
After missing the final 2.5 quarters of Game 1 against the Knicks, Porzingis appears on track to give it a go for Game 2 -- he's currently listed as probable on the official injury report. The Celtics aren't likely to be at full strength, however, as Sam Hauser (ankle) is doubtful.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Expected to suit up Wednesday
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Porzingis (illness) is probable for Wednesday's Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Knicks.
Porzingis played 13 minutes in the first half of Monday's overtime loss in Game 1, though he didn't return after halftime due to a non-COVID illness. However, the star big man will likely suit up as the Celtics attempt to even the series at 1-1 in Boston. Porzingis didn't miss a game during the club's 4-1 first-round series win over the Magic, during which he averaged 12.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 1.0 assists and 0.8 blocks across 27.4 minutes per game.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Doesn't return in Game 1
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Porzingis (illness) didn't return during Monday's 108-105 overtime loss to the Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. He supplied zero points (0-4 FG), four rebounds and one assist across 13 minutes.
Porzingis didn't start the third quarter after playing 13 minutes in the first half. The star big man was deemed questionable to return due to the non-COVID illness, and his status will be something to monitor ahead of Wednesday's Game 2 in Boston. If Porzingis is unable to suit up Wednesday, Al Horford and Luke Kornet are candidates for an uptick in playing time.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Questionable to return Monday
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Porzingis is questionable to return during Monday's Game 1 against the Knicks due to an illness, Jay King of The Athletic reports.
Porzingis managed to play 13 minutes in the first half, though he didn't start the second after leaving for the locker room during his halftime warmup. If the big man is unable to return, Al Horford and Luke Kornet are candidates for an uptick in playing time the rest of the way.
Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Limited to 21 minutes
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Porzingis ended Tuesday's 120-89 victory over the Magic in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with nine points (3-8 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), two rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 21 minutes.
The Celtics ran away with this game by the third quarter, and Porzingis had three fouls, so the team was able to dial him back Tuesday. The big man has had a very quiet postseason so far, as he's shooting 35.2 percent from the field and 11.8 percent from beyond the arc with 12.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.8 blocks and 1.8 steals in 27.4 minutes. Some positive regression with his shooting is likely around the corner.
Porzingis finished with 19 points (7-14 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one steal over 22 minutes during Sunday's 107-98 win over the Magic in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Despite battling foul trouble throughout the game, Porzingis turned in a much-improved performance, helping the Celtics to an important road victory. While it was good to see him active on the offensive end, it's fair to say Porzingis is still short of where he needs to be. Boston will hope he can build on this effort in what could be the series-clinching game on Tuesday.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Rough night in Game 3 loss
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Porzingis registered seven points (3-10 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 1-3 FT), six rebounds, one assist and one steal across 34 minutes during Friday's 95-93 loss to Orlando in Game 3 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Porzingis struggled again Friday, turning in another poor performance. Despite a double-double in Game 2, Porzingis has been largely underwhelming thus far, especially on the offensive end. Boston still leads the series 2-1, but will hope for an improved performance from Porzingis when the two teams meet again Sunday.
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