NBA Rumors: Celtics Searching For Answers With Kristaps Porzingis

Kristaps Porzingis hasn’t suited up for the Boston Celtics in two weeks, and the 29-year-old logged his seventh straight absence on Wednesday night.

Porzingis announced that a “viral illness” has held the 7-footer back from rejoining the team, but medical officials haven’t identified the illness yet. The Celtics haven’t missed Porzingis entirely, as their starting center has undergone pregame shootaround routines throughout his absence. But all the while, the organization has hesitated to make any official ruling on Porzingis without a concrete answer.

That approach, until further notice, will not change. Boston hosted the Western Conference-best Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, and before its loss, the latest regarding Porzingis and the Celtics provided little clarity.

“The Celtics are really taking it day-by-day with Kristaps Porzingis and this viral illness that he has,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on “NBA Countdown” Wednesday. “They don’t know when he’s going to return. And honestly, they don’t quite know what has led to this viral illness. They’re still trying to get to the bottom of what exactly this is. But I am told they hope to have some medical answers here in the next couple of days to see what this is and when he could return to the floor.”

Boston’s held the fort down for the most part, going 27-7 without Porzingis this season. Celtics backup center Al Horford, amid his age-38 season, filled the void tremendously by knocking down six 3-pointers and recording an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double against the Thunder. Horford’s battle with Father Time, while encouraging, isn’t sustainable. The 17-year veteran needs rest, as the initial plan entering the season was not to play Horford in back-to-back situations.

Porzingis bounced back after missing the first 17 games of the season, averaging 18.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks while shooting 47.4% from the field across 32 appearances. Boston has gone 20-12 with Porzingis healthy and on the floor, resorting to numerous combinations of mixing Horford, Neemias Queta and Luke Kornet in the team’s rotations without its go-to big man.

While the Celtics hosted and defeated the Utah Jazz on Monday night, Porzingis made the anticipated announcement on social media.

“I have been dealing with some viral illness that we haven’t been able to fully identify yet,” Porzingis announced on X. “I am recovering and getting better. But still working my way back to full strength to help this team. Thanks for support and I’m hoping for a healthy return soon.”

The injury-riddled trend that raised (slight) concerns upon Porzingis’ arrival to the Celtics two offseasons ago hasn’t detached itself ever since. Boston was subjected to fending off the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks (partially) on its own without Porzingis, who suffered an opening-round ankle injury.

The Celtics benefited from a few leprechaun-lucky circumstances — injuries to Jimmy Butler, Jarrett Allen, Donovan Mitchell and Tyrese Haliburton — and can’t bank on anyone in the Eastern Conference to go down easy this go-around. Porzingis will be needed once the title defense officially starts.

“At the end of the day, just making sure he’s safe,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters hours after Porzingis’ announcement, per CLNS Media. “He’s still able to come in and be around the guys as best he can, and try to stay in the best shape possible — he’s been on the court. So he’s doing what he can to get back, but he kind of said it best. At the same time, we just kind of gotta make sure he’s good and do what’s best for him.”

The 49-17 Celtics have 16 regular-season games left to play, giving the team time to relax until medical officials provide some awaited answers.