The Boston Celtics received good news ahead of their Game 2 matchup against the New York Knicks. The hosts are keen to bounce back following their 108-105 Game 1 overtime loss last Monday.
The team announced that Kristaps Porzingis, who left Game 1 early due to an illness, is listed as probable to play in Game 2. Meanwhile, forward Sam Hauser received a doubtful tag due to a sprained right ankle.
Porzingis has been in and out of the Boston Celtics’ rotation this season due to illness and injury. He tried to compete last Monday but didn’t look like himself on the court. The Latvian international left Game 1 with only four rebounds and went 0-for-4 in 14 minutes.
Boston will need Porzingis back at full strength because of his uncanny ability to score in the post and stretch the floor, especially after the team hit a historic low in the previous game.
Joe Mazzulla said Kristaps Porzingis’ condition improved after Game 1 vs. the New York Knicks. The Boston Celtics head coach admitted he has no idea if Porzingis’ illness is related to the one he had in late February, which caused him to miss 11 regular season games.
“Since he came back, I think he’s kind of been dealing with it and all fighting through it, working through it, doing the best that he can. And I think it was just too much for him in that game,” Mazzulla said about Porzingis via ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
“He had been working through it since he’s gotten back and he’s done a great job of being available and it was just tough for him to continue yesterday. So we’ll see how he handles that,” he added.
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