Kristaps Porzingis Clarifies Illness After Productive Celtics Return

Kristaps Porzingis quickly shook off any rest from his eight-game absence with the Boston Celtics. He recovered well to lead the team with 24 points in a 115-113 win over the Brooklyn Nets Saturday night.

Porzingis dealt with a draining viral illness that left the Boston big man fatigued and frustrated in his wait to get back on the court for the Celtics.

“It was extremely, extremely frustrating not knowing what I had,” Porzingis told reporters, per CLNS’ Noa Dalzell. “… I haven’t been this sick, probably ever, in my life.”

Porzingis posted to X earlier in the week with an update for Celtics fans just days before his productive return to the lineup.

“I saw on social media — people want to know what’s going on, why I’m out for so long,” Porzingis added, per Dalzell. “… I just wanted to let people know I was really dealing with something. I would never sit out for a cough or something.”

The Celtics clinched a playoff spot Friday night just before Porzingis’ return. His impact will be as important as ever in Boston’s bid to win back-to-back titles. Joe Mazzulla and company just need to keep him fresh down the stretch to deal their X-factor against the opposition this spring.