TheBoston Celtics' attempt to repeat as NBA champions was hurt in part byKristaps Porziņģis' inability to stay on the floor and make a meaningful contribution this postseason. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens addressed Porziņģis' illness and what that might portend for the offseason and next season. "I don't think anyone was more frustrated than him,"Stevens explained. "And I felt for him because the way it was described to me was just post-viral syndrome, which is just lingering effects of a long illness." The Celtics described Porziņģis' condition asan upper respiratory and non-COVID illnessduring the Eastern Conference semifinals series with theNew York Knicks. The veteran center played 13 minutes in Game 1 and 12 minutes in Game 5, with coach Joe Mazzulla saying afterward that Porziņģis didn't play in the second half because "he couldn't breathe." In the six-game playoff loss to the Knicks, Porziņģis averaged 4.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.8 blocks while playing 15.5 minutes per game. He was able to contribute more in Boston's first-round series versus theOrlando Magic, averaging 12 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 27.4 minutes. Those numbers were far below the 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks Porziņģis averaged during the regular season with 41% shooting on 250 3-point attempts. However, he appeared in only 42 games while recovering from ankle surgery, then struggling with his illness that sidelined him for eight games in late February through early March. Brad Stevens on Kristaps Porzingis's illness:"The way it was described to me was just post viral syndrome.""He's going to play for Latvia. I think thats's a good thing."WATCH LIVE:https://t.co/5rJdR8wDCMpic.twitter.com/6TNNER8AbY — Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS)May 19, 2025 Stevens said he thought Porziņģis had "turned a corner" in his recovery and cited his 34-point performance against the Knicks in the second-to-last game of the regular season. Yet the demanding playoff schedule likely prevented him from being able to rest and recover further, which also applied toJaylen Brownandthe torn meniscushe was playing through. Denver NuggetsforwardAaron Gordonwould likely agree with that point,expressing the same concernafter Sunday's Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. "A travel day and a recovery day, just two days, I think the product of the game would be a lot better," Gordon said. "Just to give all these professional athletes just one more day of rest, and you would see a higher level of basketball. Probably less blowouts." However, the Celtics don't appear to be worried about Porziņģis making a full recovery during the offseason. Stevens said during his presser that the 7-footer is expected to play for Latvia in the FIBA Eurobasket tournament, scheduled from Aug. 27 to Sept. 14. Porziņģis is under contract for one more season at $30.7 million, finishing offthe two-year, $60 million extensionhe signed after the Celtics acquired him before the 2023-24 season.
