Kristaps

Porzingis

After being unable to play during the second half of Game 5 due to having trouble breathing, Porzingis was used in a reserve role in Game 6. The Celtics forward/center could not provide much value in that role, and replacement Luke Kornet (5/5/1/0/1 in 21 minutes) also struggled on Friday. Most important for Porzingis this offseason is to address the illness that impacted him throughout the postseason. A healthy Porzingis can be an excellent fantasy asset, especially with Jayson Tatum (Achilles) likely missing most of the 2025-26 season.

Kornet will start Game 6 after being one of the difference-makers in Boston’s Game 5 blowout victory on Wednesday. He replaces Kristaps Porzingis, who continues to struggle with his fitness after dealing with an illness that first became an issue late in the regular season. How much Porzingis can play is unknown, but the Celtics will need another Herculean effort from Kornet to extend the series to a decisive Game 7 on Monday.

Kristaps Porzingis got the starting nod in place of Jayson Tatum (Achilles), but Kornet replaced him to start the second half. Porzingis didn’t end up seeing the floor after the break, while Kornet played a significant role in helping Boston take over the game. Porzingis has struggled mightily during this series, and there were reports that he is having stamina issues. After the game, head coach Joe Mazzulla was asked about benching Porzingis and said, “He couldn’t breathe. He was available if absolutely necessary.” Porzingis only had one point, one rebound and one block in 12 minutes on Wednesday. It’s unclear if Kornet will start in Game 6 on Friday, but he has clearly at least earned more playing time.

In Boston’s first game without Jayson Tatum (Achilles), Porzingis will make a return to the starting unit in a bigger lineup for the Celtics. Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet should fill out the reserve minutes.

Hauser has been out of the Celtics’ lineup since spraining his ankle during Game 1. His likely return will give Boston another rotation player to call upon, as Jayson Tatum (Achilles) is out for the foreseeable future. With Kristaps Porzingis (illness) still not back to full strength, Hauser will play rotation minutes if cleared, potentially as a starter.

Tatum was injured during the fourth quarter of Monday’s Game 4 loss to the Knicks, with his leg giving out as he attempted to corral a loose ball. The Celtics star could not put any weight on his leg while being helped to the locker room, and the worst fears have officially been realized. Not only will Tatum miss the remainder of this playoff series, which Boston trails 3-1, but he’ll likely miss most of the 2025-26 season. One would expect Kristaps Porzingis to return to the starting lineup in the short term, and the Celtics have serious long-term questions to answer following Tatum’s injury.

Porzingis’ stamina has been an issue this series, with the Celtics’ center coming off the bench and only playing 14 minutes in Wednesday’s Game 2 defeat. Whether he starts or comes off the bench for Game 3 has not been determined. Al Horford would remain in the starting lineup if Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla decides to use Porzingis in a reserve role.

After an illness limited him to 13 first-half minutes in Boston’s series-opening defeat on Monday, Porzingis came off the bench in Game 2. Unfortunately, he could only give the Celtics 14 minutes. Following the game, Porzingis said his current problem may be related to the upper respiratory ailment that sidelined him for eight games late in the regular season. “Probably, probably,” Porzingis said. “I’ve had like ups and downs throughout until this point. Just now, had a big crash. Now, my energy, my everything, hasn’t been good, but who cares? Have to move forward and it will get better from this point.” While Boston’s shot selection was the focus following its two home defeats, Porzingis’ limited availability has also been a factor. He’ll hope to return to full health in time for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon. Al Horford may continue to start, with Luke Kornet playing a significant role off the bench if Porzingis is still dealing with the lingering effects of the illness.

After exiting early from Game 1, Porzingis was made available for Game 2, but he only played a small role off the bench. Al Horford logged 29 minutes as a starter, while Luke Kornet played 18 minutes off the bench. Both bigs played more than Porzingis, who was only on the floor for 14 minutes. He’ll have a few days off before Game 3 on Saturday, which will hopefully be enough time for him to get back to full strength.

Porzingis wasn’t available to finish Game 1, but he was initially listed as probable for Game 2, so his availability isn’t surprising. However, Al Horford will get the starting nod, with Porzingis coming off the bench. Porzingis should still play a significant role as the Celtics look to tie this series up before it shifts to New York.