How Kristaps Porzingis is reportedly treating virus that’s re-emerged during Celtics-Knicks series
Porzingis said that the virus caused his energy to crash right before Game 1.
Kristaps Porzingis previously admitted that the virus that caused him to miss time in March impacted his performance through the first two games of the Celtics’ series against the Knicks.
The return of the illness might have come as a surprise to Porzingis, though. The Celtics’ big man felt he had “turned the corner” when the playoffs began in April, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported ahead of Saturday’s Game 3. However, Porzingis began to feel the side effects of the virus again before Monday’s Game 1.
After missing the entire second half and overtime of Game 1 before playing off the bench in Game 2, Porzingis has been receiving IVs and immune boosters while changing his sleep patterns to try and get more rest, Charania added.
“He’s waking up every day essentially hoping and praying that he feels better,” Charania said.
Porzingis was sidelined for eight games with the undisclosed illness in March, but his play didn’t take much of a dip when he returned. He averaged 21.2 points (on .512/.441/.800 shooting splits) in 28.5 minutes per game over the 10 regular-season games he played after returning from the illness.
The postseason has been a different story for Porzingis, though. Ahead of Saturday’s Game 3, he only made 34.9 percent of his shots from the field as he’s scored just 9.7 points per game over those seven contests.
Porzingis told reporters after Game 2 that he wasn’t sure “how to call” what he was dealing with, but said he’s “not feeling my best at all.”
“It kills me inside that it’s happening in this moment,” Porzingis said.
Porzingis also shared that his energy wasn’t at its best through the first two games of the series either.
“I’ve had ups and downs throughout — up until this point,” Porzingis said. “Just now, had a big crash. My energy, my everything, just hasn’t been good. But who cares? I have to look forward and I know we’ll get better from this point on.”
Porzingis was able to be a little bit more effective in the Celtics’ Game 3 win over the Knicks. He had five points and three blocks, but he only played 19 minutes as he came off the bench for a second straight game. He also didn’t make a shot from the field, with all of his points coming from the free-throw line.
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