Celtics' Joe Mazzulla Announces Kristaps Porzingis Update After Game 5 Against Knicks

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated May 14, 2025 11:11 PM ET

The Eastern Conference Semifinals have been extended by at least one game.

While the Indiana Pacers punched their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks are still looking to close out the Boston Celtics.

The series has been headlined by chaotic comebacks from the Knicks, and, more recently, Jayson Tatum rupturing his Achilles.

Still, the Celtics aren't ready to let their campaign end yet, as they picked up a massive 127-102 victory in the TD Garden over the Knicks in Game 5.

The Knicks return to New York for Game 6, looking to put an end to the series once and for all, even if it takes an extra game.

With Tatum out in Game 5, different Celtics players stepped up. Derrick White and Jaylen Brown, in particular, were brilliant.

One Boston star didn't show up, however.

Kristaps Porzingis struggled, scoring just one point on 0-of-3 shooting in 12 minutes played. He didn't start, nor check in, in the second half, either.

After the game, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla sent a clear message regarding Porzingis and why he was absent in the second half.

"He couldn't breathe. He was available if absolutely necessary," Mazzulla said after the Celtics' win.

Joe Mazzulla on Kristaps Porzingis: "He couldn't breathe. He was available if absolutely necessary."
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) May 15, 2025

Porzingis has been dealing with an odd illness since March, which has impacted his play and availability in a massive way.

Boston got a major performance from another big man, though, as Luka Kornet stepped up in the second half and buried the Knicks with his inside presence.

Kornet finished the game with ten points, nine rebounds and seven blocks, finishing as a plus-20 in 26 minutes played.

The Knicks' two wings -- Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby -- struggled to provide much offensively.

The series, heading back to the Big Apple, just got much more interesting.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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