Kristaps Porzingis was unexpectedly ruled out for the Boston Celtics’ matchup against the New York Knicks on Saturday evening due to an illness.

The Celtics made a last-minute adjustment to their starting lineup, announcing that Luke Kornet would replace the former All-Star Porzingis at center.

Adding to the Celtics’ challenges, they were already missing another key player, as Jrue Holiday could not participate due to a right shoulder injury.

On the Knicks’ side, they were also dealing with player absences. Starting forward OG Anunoby sat out for the third consecutive game because of a sprained right foot. However, starting center Karl-Anthony Towns was able to play after being listed as questionable due to a sore right knee.

The circumstances surrounding player availability highlighted the ongoing challenges teams face in maintaining their lineups throughout the season.