In New York last Saturday night, Kristaps Porzingis made a triumphant return to the court after being sidelined by a baffling illness that had sapped his strength and kept him out of action for eight games. The Boston Celtics clearly demonstrated their prowess with Porzingis at the helm, as he played a crucial role in their tense 115-113 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
Porzingis, who struggled with what he described as an upper respiratory infection that possibly evolved into bronchitis, showed why the Celtics hold him in such high esteem. Scoring 14 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, he visibly lifted the team’s performance when they needed it the most. Despite not knowing the exact nature of his illness, which testing indicated was not mononucleosis, Porzingis was relieved to be back on the floor.
“I felt better as the game progressed,” Porzingis shared, acknowledging a slight energy dip in the third quarter that he overcame, resulting in a stellar fourth quarter performance. His return couldn’t have come a moment too soon, after his last appearance on February 26 against Detroit, followed by multiple false starts as he tried to regain his strength.
He nearly returned for a high-stakes game against the Lakers on March 8 but was unable to follow through due to a heavy crash in his energy levels. “The next day was brutal; I couldn’t get out of bed,” he admitted, adding that even a week later, he still didn’t feel completely recovered but was ready to play. Coach Joe Mazzulla had initially planned for a minute restriction, but ultimately allowed Porzingis to remain on the court longer, recognizing his pivotal role in the game’s outcome.
Porzingis, who had been averaging 18.9 points per game, had previously only been active in four games following the All-Star break due to his health struggles. Nevertheless, both Mazzulla and his teammates have consistently praised his positive attitude and dedication to remaining fit and ready for play.
Saturday’s game saw contributions from Derrick White and Al Horford missing due to respective injuries from previous games, with Jaylen Brown also sidelined in the second half due to back spasms. Despite these challenges, Porzingis’ return proved vital to the Celtics’ success.
Reflecting on Porzingis’ comeback, teammate Payton Pritchard commended his resilience. “Just for him to get back and get his rhythm back is good for us, especially at this stretch before the playoffs,” Pritchard said. With Porzingis back in action, the Celtics are optimistic about maintaining their momentum as they approach the playoffs.
