The Boston Celtics head to New York trailing the Knicks 2-0. After squandering two straight 20-point leads in the second half, they're on the brink of becoming the latest NBA champion to not advance past the second round the following postseason. It's a streak stretching to when the Golden State Warriors returned to the Finals in 2019.
It would go a long way for the Celtics if they can get more from Kristaps Porzingis. The former All-Star is dealing with a non-Covid illness that has zapped his energy.
Joe Mazzulla shared on Boston radio station 98.5 The Sports Hub that the team knows what Porzingis is battling.
"He has the effects of that illness with his fatigue and his breathing, and he's doing everything he can to give us what he has," said Mazzulla.
In an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, ESPN's Shams Charania offered the following insight into the situation.
"My understanding is he's been dealing with lingering side effects from the virus that he had in March," said Charania. "It has zapped his energy, it's drained him. He's had to rely on getting a lot more sleep over the last couple months. He's had to take IVs (and) immune boosters."
Thursday, on the heels of losing Game 2, 91-90, Mazzulla praised Porzingis's contributions as he fights through a virus he can't seem to shake.
"I thought those minutes were really impactful for us and he gave us everything he has," expressed Boston's bench boss. "And with these two days off, hopefully, he can recover a little bit more."
The seven-foot-two center, who the Celtics moved to the second unit, starting Al Horford in his place, finished with eight points and four rebounds in 14 minutes.
"I had a big crash now, and my energy, my everything hasn't been good, but who cares? said a somber Porzingis after the loss. "I have to look forward and it will get better from this point on."
The Latvian native also admitted, "It kills me inside that it's happening in this moment. What I'm super appreciative about is the support that I have on the inside. And also, probably from the fans. But especially here, inside the organization, in this tough moment for me, to not be able to be with the guys."
Perhaps that support -- and two days in between games 2 and 3 -- have buoyed his spirits and done enough for his recovery entering a pivotal contest.
Porzingis's name is absent from Boston's Game 3 injury report.
If he can help pace Horford, who looked fatigued while playing the entire final frame in Game 2, and further aid a team searching to recapture its offensive rhythm, it will go a long way toward the Celtics' hopes of digging out of this 0-2 hole.
The latest on Sam Hauser's Game 3 status
After shootaround on Wednesday morning, as the Celtics readied for Game 2, Sam Hauser, sporting a black sleeve on his calf, took the court to work on form shooting.
While this author cautions against reading too much into a glimpse into how a player is recovering, the six-foot-eight sharpshooter walked from one spot to another and kept his feet on the ground as he shot.
It was not a surprise that he was unable to play that night.
As Hauser works to rejoin the lineup after sustaining an ankle injury he suffered while closing out to contest a Jalen Brunson jumper, Boston lists him as doubtful for Game 3.
Not having him in the lineup is a blow to the Celtics' depth and a three-point arsenault that has abandoned them.
With Hauser doubtful for Saturday's matinee at Madison Square Garden, it appears they'll have to solve that without him.
