Kristaps Porziņģis only played 12 minutes in the Boston Celtics’ 127-102 win over the New York Knicks in Game 5 of their second-round NBA playoff series. He scored only one point, along with one rebound and a block.
Asked why Porziņģis didn’t play in the second half, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said, “He couldn’t breathe.”
In Wednesday’s victory, that created an opportunity for Luke Kornet to play what was likely the best game of his career with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 7 blocks. Not only was he a strong defensive presence, but he also moved well in Boston’s half-court game, setting screens and cutting to the basket for dunks and layups. (Kornet shot 5 of 5 from the floor and scored 10 points)
However, Mazzulla insisted that Porziņģis could have played if necessary. But the two of them decided at halftime that he would sit out, despite the game being tied at 59-59. The coach also told reporters that he expected Porzingis to play Friday in Game 6 of the series.
Mazzulla started Porziņģis in Game 5 after starting Al Horford at center for the past three games in the series. Boston went with a bigger lineup with Tatum out, starting Porziņģis and Horford with Jaylen Brown in the frontcourt. Derrick White and Jrue Holiday started at guard.
Mazzulla may have been right that a bigger lineup was necessary against the Knicks’ frontline with Tatum out. But it was Kornet and Sam Hauser who provided the needed energy, especially on defense at the basket.
Yet for those who believe the Celtics can’t repeat as NBA champions without Porziņģis making an impact — especially with Jayson Tatum suffering a season-ending torn Achilles injury — the center’s lack of effectiveness has to be a concern. Porziņģis has been struggling with an upper respiratory illness throughout the season, which the Celtics say is a a non-COVID-19 illness, and played 13 minutes in Game 1, scoring no points.
“I’m dealing with some — I don’t know how to call it. I’m just not feeling my best. I’m not feeling my best at all,” Porziņģis said after Game 2, via Boston.com. “It kills me inside that it’s happening in this moment.”
Porziņģis said he felt better in Game 4 and played 24 minutes. But whatever energy he had on Monday wasn’t there on Wednesday. The question now for the Celtics is whether they’re a better team with Kornet on the court and if that will be enough to win two more games against the Knicks.
Kristaps Porziņģis only played 12 minutes in the Boston Celtics’ 127-102 win over the New York Knicks in Game 5 of their second-round NBA playoff series. He only scored 1 point, along with 1 rebound and 1 block.
Asked why Porziņģis didn’t play in the second half, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said, “He couldn’t breathe.”
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In Wednesday’s victory, that created an opportunity for Luke Kornet to play what was likely the best game of his career with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 7 blocks. Not only was he a strong defensive presence, but he also moved well in Boston’s half-court game, setting screens and cutting to the basket for dunks and layups. (Kornet shot 5-of-5 from the floor and scored 10 points)
However, Mazzulla insisted that Porziņģis could have played if necessary. But the two of them decided at halftime that he would sit out, despite the game being tied at 59-59. The coach also told reporters that he expected Porzingis to play Friday in Game 6 of the series.
Mazzulla started Porziņģis in Game 5 after starting Al Horford at center for the past three games in the series. Boston went with a bigger lineup with Tatum out, starting Porziņģis and Horford with Jaylen Brown in the frontcourt. Derrick White and Jrue Holiday started at guard.
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Mazzulla may have been right that a bigger lineup was necessary against the Knicks’ frontline with Tatum out. But it was Kornet and Sam Hauser who provided the needed energy, especially on defense at the basket.
Yet for those who believe the Celtics can’t repeat as NBA champions without Porziņģis making an impact — especially with Jayson Tatum suffering a season-ending torn Achilles injury — the center’s lack of effectiveness has to be a concern. Porziņģis has been struggling with an upper respiratory illness throughout the season, which the Celtics say is a a non-COVID-19 illness, and played 13 minutes in Game 1, scoring no points.
“I’m dealing with some — I don’t know how to call it. I’m just not feeling my best. I’m not feeling my best at all,” Porziņģis said after Game 2, via Boston.com. “It kills me inside that it’s happening in this moment.”
Porziņģis said he felt better in Game 4 and played 24 minutes. But whatever energy he had on Monday wasn’t there on Wednesday. The question now for the Celtics is whether or not they’re a better team with Kornet on the court and if that will be enough to win two more games against the Knicks.
