ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania said on ABC’s coverage before Knicks-Celtics Game 3 on Saturday that Porzingis is still dealing with the effects of a virus that had ailed him back in March. Charania said the Celtics star thought he had felt he improved, but things have been up-and-down since the second round began this week.

Kristaps Porzingis said that the virus caused his energy to crash right before Game 1, causing him to be relegated to a bench role.

Boston Celtics star Kristaps Porzingins sent a strong message following the team's win over the New York Knicks.

In a surprising start to the second round of the NBA playoffs, the Boston Celtics find themselves trailing the New York Knicks 2-0 in their series. This comes after the Knicks rallied from 20-point deficits in the first two games to come away with a pair of narrow victories.

The Boston Celtics will have a hard time retaining Kristaps Porzingis due to cap space issues. With the likelihood of the big man heading out of Boston following the next season, we take a look at some of the best deals the Celtics can facilitate to get the most out of his value now.

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) looks for a shot against Orlando Magic guard Cory Joseph (10) during the first half in game 3 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series,, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) AP

SportsLine's computer model has revealed three free NBA prop picks for Monday's games in the 2025 NBA playoffs after evaluating the latest NBA odds

This not only helps the Bulls' youth movement but also maximizes the five spot. If Porzingis is healthy, the club can easily compete for a seven or an eight seed, and if he's not, it just allows younger players to get more shine with the hopes of eventually getting better odds in the lottery.