Porzingis Wanted to Return Even Though He 'Couldn't Breathe' vs. Knicks, Says Mazzulla
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis was replaced by backup Luke Kornet in the second half of Wednesday's Game 5 win over the New York Knicks, but the situation was more dire than it initially appeared.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said after the 127-102 win that Porzingis, who has been hampered by an upper respiratory illness for quite some time, was struggling to breathe throughout Wednesday's game.
"I mean, [Porzingis] couldn't breathe," Mazzulla said, per ESPN's Brian Windhorst. "He was available if absolutely necessary. And so [going to the bench] was just a decision between me and him."
Porzingis started the game and had just one point, one rebound and one block in 12 minutes of action. Kornet provided a spark off the bench with 10 points, nine rebounds and seven blocks in 26 minutes.
Windhorst noted that Porzingis has been dealing with this illness "on and off for three months," and it has been "significantly affecting him in the series." Across five games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the 29-year-old has averaged just 4.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.
Porzingis' ineffectiveness is another thing the Celtics will need to overcome after losing star forward Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles in Game 4 against the Knicks.
The defending champs are trying to keep their season alive as they trail New York 3-2 in the series, so it will be interesting to see Mazzulla's strategy with Porzingis and the rest of the frontcourt in Friday's Game 6 at Madison Square Garden.
