ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania said on ABC’s coverage before Knicks-Celtics Game 3 on Saturday that Porzingis is still dealing with the effects of a virus that had ailed him back in March. Charania said the Celtics star thought he had felt he improved, but things have been up-and-down since the second round began this week.

Kristaps Porzingis said that the virus caused his energy to crash right before Game 1, causing him to be relegated to a bench role.

The Boston Celtics are sticking with Al Horford as their starting center for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Saturday, even though Kristaps Porzingis is available to play. Porzingis has been fighting an illness and was limited in the Celtics' two losses to the New York Knicks in Boston.

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) looks for a shot against Orlando Magic guard Cory Joseph (10) during the first half in game 3 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series,, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) AP

Karl-Anthony Towns injures hand. In the second quarter against Boston on Saturday, Karl-Anthony Towns and Luke Kornett were battling for a rebound around the basket, which Towns g

SportsLine's computer model has revealed three free NBA prop picks for Monday's games in the 2025 NBA playoffs after evaluating the latest NBA odds

This not only helps the Bulls' youth movement but also maximizes the five spot. If Porzingis is healthy, the club can easily compete for a seven or an eight seed, and if he's not, it just allows younger players to get more shine with the hopes of eventually getting better odds in the lottery.

Through two games, Mitchel Robinson is a series-best +32. For comparison, Jalen Brunson is +1 through two games, while Mikal Bridges is -3.