Joe Mazzulla Explains Why Kristaps Porzingis Missed Second Half in Celtics' Game 5 Win

How surprise hero rescued Celtics in ‘unbelievable’ Game 5 performance

Two minutes into the second half of Wednesday night’s must-win game at TD Garden, things looked dire for the Celtics’ frontcourt. Al Horford had just picked up his fourth foul with 20 minutes still to play. Kristaps Porzingis had tried to play through his persistent illness but couldn’t do so effectively, posting a minus-12 with one point and one rebound over 12 brutal first-half minutes. Porzingis “couldn’t breathe” at halftime, according to he…

Joe Mazzulla Explains Why Kristaps Porzingis Missed Second Half in Celtics' Game 5 Win

Porzingis played just 12 minutes Wednesday.

NBA – The Letton absent in the second period, it is the pivot that took its place. And in what way! It was very effective, in attack as in... Read more »

Kristaps Porzingis 'Couldn't Breathe' In Game 5 Win, Misses Second Half

Kristaps Porzingis sat the second half of the Boston Celtics' 127-102 win over the New York Knicks in Game 5 after struggling to breathe. "I mean (Porzingis) couldn't breathe," Joe Mazzulla said. "He was available if absolutely necessary. And so that (going to the bench) was just a decision between me and him." Porzingis has been battling a respiratory illness for the past three months. Porzingis finished the game with one point on 0-3 shooting.…

Celtics Notes: Kornet, Porzingis, Tatum, Brown

Luke Kornet was an unexpected star as the Celtics staved off elimination by beating the Knicks in Wednesday’s Game 5, writes Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. With Kristaps Porzingis struggling through another ineffective game, coach Joe Mazzulla decided to have Kornet start the second half in his place. Kornet delivered one of the best performances of his career, blocking five shots in the third quarter while scoring four points and grabbin…

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