Celtics Porzingis mysteriously ill, coach updates key information before the second game

Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis mysteriously ill, Joe Mazura updated key information before Game 2

Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis is reportedly fighting the same illness that was earlier this season.

On Monday, the Boston Celtics led 20 points in the second round of the playoffs series against the New York Knicks, but eventually lost 0-1. The Celtics lacked big man Christapus Porzingis for most of this game. He left the game due to illness later in the first half and has not returned since.

This injury is reminiscent of a long game in which Porzingis was absent from a mysterious illness earlier this season. Recently, CelticsBlog's Noa Dalzell reported on X's website that Porzingis's injury on Monday was linked to his previous injuries.

"He has been working hard to recover since his comeback and has been in good shape. It's just that yesterday was hard for him to stick with it," Celtics head coach Joe Mazura said Tuesday.

The Celtics have become accustomed to the game where Porzingis is not in the roster, and for most of last year's playoffs they had to do so, eventually winning the championship.

Porzingis was terrible in the first round series between the Celtics against the Orlando Magic, not hitting his first 3-pointer until Game 4, and he started just as badly against the Knicks.

Boston's crushing defeat

The Celtics may not panic after losing in this NBA playoff three-point shooting record.

Nevertheless, Boston should be concerned about the team's health after losing a 20-point lead at an astonishing pace. It's not a good sign that the Knicks didn't get too many opportunities from Carl Anthony Towns, or that Jaylen Brunson (at least before the fourth quarter) didn't play particularly efficiently and still win.

It is not clear how long it will take for Porzingis to be out due to illness. As mentioned earlier, the Celtics have proven that they are fully capable of holding on to the main player in his absence.

In any case, the Celtics and the Knicks will start the second game of the series again at 7:00 pm ET on Wednesday night at TD Garden Arena in Boston.