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Kristaps Porzingis Kristaps Porzingis (illness) having stamina issues
Thu, May 8, 2025, 2:41 AM
Bobby Manning
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) said after Wednesday's Game 2 loss to the Knicks that his current stamina issues may be related to the problem that sidelined him for eight games late in the regular season.
Analysis: After an illness limited him to 13 first-half minutes in Boston's series-opening defeat on Monday, Porzingis came off the bench in Game 2. Unfortunately, he could only give the Celtics 14 minutes. Following the game, Porzingis said his current problem may be related to the upper respiratory ailment that sidelined him for eight games late in the regular season. âProbably, probably,â Porzingis said. âI've had like ups and downs throughout until this point. Just now, had a big crash. Now, my energy, my everything, hasn't been good, but who cares? Have to move forward and it will get better from this point.â While Boston's shot selection was the focus following its two home defeats, Porzingis' limited availability has also been a factor. He'll hope to return to full health in time for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon. Al Horford may continue to start, with Luke Kornet playing a significant role off the bench if Porzingis is still dealing with the lingering effects of the illness. |
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Jaylen Brown Jaylen Brown chips in 20 points in Game 2 loss
Wed, May 7, 2025, 4:49 PM
Jaylen Brown lit up the Knicks with 20 points (8-of-23 FGs), six rebounds, one assist, two steals, two three-pointers and six turnovers in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Analysis: It was a tale of two halves for Brown, who entered the break with 17 points. In the second half, the only stats he contributed were one three-pointer and four turnovers. He shot 1-of-7 in the second half, and the Celtics blew a 20-point lead for a second straight game. They've been outscored by a total of four points in this series, but they will head to New York down 0-2. Brown will need to repeat his first-half performance for Boston to get back on track. |
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Derrick White Derrick White tallies 20/9/5 line in Game 2 loss
Wed, May 7, 2025, 4:45 PM
Derrick White led the Celtics with 20 points (6-of-17 FGs), nine rebounds, five assists, two blocks and three three-pointers in Game 2 against the Knicks on Wednesday.
Analysis: White had a strong night overall, though most of his work was done in the first half. He had 14 of his 20 points and all three of his three-pointers in the first half. White has shot a poor percentage through the first two games of this series, but he has been their best threat from beyond the arc. Boston will need White to be at his best in Game 3 on Saturday to avoid going down 0-3 in the series. |
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Jayson Tatum Jayson Tatum held to 13 points in Game 2 loss
Wed, May 7, 2025, 4:29 PM
Jayson Tatum struggled with his shot and finished with 13 points (5-of-19 FGs), 14 rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and one three-pointer in a 91-90 loss to the Knicks in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Analysis: The positive outlook is that Tatum is averaging 15 rebounds per game in this series and contributing as a playmaker and a defender. The negative (and honest) outlook is that he hasn't been the dominant scorer that Boston has needed him to be. Though he gave them a late lead with a dunk, he couldn't get a shot off with a chance to win it on the final play. Now, his team is down 0-2 and will head to New York for Games 3 and 4. If Boston is going to repeat as champions, Tatum is going to have to step up his game. |
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Kristaps Porzingis Kristaps Porzingis (illness) logs 14 minutes
Wed, May 7, 2025, 4:25 PM
Kristaps Porzingis came off the bench on Wednesday and finished with eight points (3-of-5 FGs), four rebounds and one three-pointer in Game 2 against the Knicks.
Analysis: After exiting early from Game 1, Porzingis was made available for Game 2, but he only played a small role off the bench. Al Horford logged 29 minutes as a starter, while Luke Kornet played 18 minutes off the bench. Both bigs played more than Porzingis, who was only on the floor for 14 minutes. He'll have a few days off before Game 3 on Saturday, which will hopefully be enough time for him to get back to full strength. |
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Sam Hauser Sam Hauser (ankle) ruled out vs. New York
Wed, May 7, 2025, 12:38 PM
NBA Injury Report
Sam Hauser (ankle) has been ruled out against the Knicks in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Analysis: Hauser was listed as doubtful, so his absence isn't surprising. Head coach Joe Mazzulla will likely lean on his starters more in what could be considered a must-win game after the Celtics dropped Game 1 at home. |
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Kristaps Porzingis Kristaps Porzingis (illness) available for Game 2
Wed, May 7, 2025, 12:34 PM
NBA Injury Report
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) has been upgraded to available to play in Game 2 against the Knicks on Wednesday.
Analysis: Porzingis wasn't available to finish Game 1, but he was initially listed as probable for Game 2, so his availability isn't surprising. However, Al Horford will get the starting nod, with Porzingis coming off the bench. Porzingis should still play a significant role as the Celtics look to tie this series up before it shifts to New York. |
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Sam Hauser Sam Hauser (ankle) doubtful for Game 2 vs. Knicks
Tue, May 6, 2025, 11:17 AM
Jared Weiss
Sam Hauser (ankle) is doubtful for Game 2 against the Knicks on Wednesday.
Analysis: Hauser is dealing with a right ankle sprain and is a long shot to appear in Game 2 given his doubtful listing. The 27-year-old small forward curiously didn't play in the first half of Game 1 before rolling his ankle in the third quarter as the Celtics lost to the Knicks in overtime. The Celtics could opt to rely more heavily on their starters for the rest of the series, though that may be difficult with Jaylen Brown at less than 100 percent and Kristaps Porzingis dealing with an illness. |
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Kristaps Porzingis Kristaps Porzingis (illness) probable for Game 2
Tue, May 6, 2025, 11:16 AM
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) is probable for Game 2 against the Knicks on Wednesday.
Analysis: This is excellent news for the Celtics. Porzingis didn't return after leaving Game 1 of the series in the first quarter, which forced Boston to play Al Horford 34 minutes in the overtime loss against the Knicks. With Porzingis likely back, the Celtics can get back to their usual rotation, though Sam Hauser (ankle) is doubtful for Game 2. |
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Kristaps Porzingis Porzingis, Hauser considered âday-to-day'
Tue, May 6, 2025, 7:13 AM
Jay King
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Sam Hauser (ankle) are considered âday-to-day.â
Analysis: Mazzulla also noted that Porzingis is feeling better, though the status of both players ahead of Game 2 on Wednesday isn't fully clear. There should be a better indication in the injury report that will come out Tuesday evening. Al Horford would likely start and take on extra minutes if Porzingis is forced to miss Game 2. |
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Al Horford Al Horford logs 34 minutes in overtime defeat
Mon, May 5, 2025, 4:34 PM
Al Horford finished Monday's Game 1 loss to the Knicks with seven points (2-of-6 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), seven rebounds, one block and one three-pointer in 34 minutes.
Analysis: Horford playing 34 minutes on Monday was not uncommon; he played 32 minutes or more in each of the final four games of Boston's first-round series against Orlando. The difference was that he came off the bench against the Knicks, with Kristaps Porzingis' illness forcing Horford to play more minutes after halftime. Porzingis, who missed eight games late in the regular season due to an illness, did not return. His health will be a key storyline for Wednesday's Game 2, with Horford taking on a more prominent role if Porzingis cannot play. |
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Derrick White Derrick White sinks five three-pointers in Game 1
Mon, May 5, 2025, 4:30 PM
Derrick White amassed 19 points (6-of-18 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), 11 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and five three-pointers in 44 minutes in a Game 1 loss to the Knicks on Monday.
Analysis: While White did lead the Celtics with five three-pointers in Game 1, he needed 16 attempts to hit that number. As a team, the reigning champs shot 15-of-60 from beyond the arc, setting NBA playoff records for most attempts in a game and lowest percentage for a team that attempted at least 50 three-pointers. White recorded a solid overall stat line outside the steals category, but his field-goal percentage took a significant hit. He and the Celtics will look to bounce back in Game 2 on Wednesday. |
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Jayson Tatum Jayson Tatum grabs 16 rebounds in Game 1 defeat
Mon, May 5, 2025, 4:26 PM
Law Murray
Jayson Tatum logged 44 minutes in a Game 1 loss to the Knicks on Monday, finishing with 23 points (7-of-23 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), 16 rebounds, six assists, two steals, one block and four three-pointers.
Analysis: Tatum's 16 rebounds were two shy of his playoff career-high, but the Celtics rely on him more for scoring than rebounding. And, besides scoring 13 of Boston's first 19 points, JT struggled in Game 1. Far too often during the second half, he (and some of his Celtics teammates) settled offensively, opening the door for New York to erase a 20-point deficit. As a team, Boston attempted an NBA playoff record 60 three-pointers, and their percentage (25 percent) was the worst for any of the 23 teams in league history who have put up at least 50 threes in a playoff game. Tatum and the Celtics will look to even the series on Wednesday night. |
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Jaylen Brown Jaylen Brown struggles from deep in Game 1 loss
Mon, May 5, 2025, 4:20 PM
Jaylen Brown accumulated 23 points (7-of-20 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs), seven rebounds, five assists and one three-pointer in 45 minutes in a Game 1 loss to the Knicks on Monday.
Analysis: Brown and the Celtics were on the wrong end of a shocking result Monday night, as the reigning champs lost despite leading by as much as 20. Three-point shooting was a problem for the Celtics, as they shot a putrid 15-of-60 from beyond the arc. Brown finished 1-of-10 on the night, with that poor showing dragging down his overall field-goal percentage. When Boston's three-point opportunities come within the flow of the offense, forcing opposing defenses into rotation, they're elite. That wasn't the case in the second half of Game 1, hence the defeat. Brown and the Celtics will look to even the series on Wednesday night. |
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Sam Hauser Sam Hauser (ankle) questionable to return Monday
Mon, May 5, 2025, 3:06 PM
Keith Smith
Sam Hauser (ankle) is questionable to return to Monday's Game 1 against the Knicks.
Analysis: Hauser rolled his ankle after challenging an OG Anunoby three-point attempt during the third quarter. Immediately hobbling back to the locker room while the Knicks wing attempted his free throws, Hauser has yet to return to the Celtics' bench. Boston may rely on its starters more to close out Game 1, but they could be down a rotation player for Wednesday's Game 2. |
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Kristaps Porzingis Kristaps Porzingis (ill) questionable to return
Mon, May 5, 2025, 2:38 PM
Keith Smith
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) is questionable to return to Game 1 against the Knicks on Monday.
Analysis: After struggling in the first half of Monday's series opener, Porzingis was not on the court with his teammates to begin the second half. According to the Celtics, he's dealing with an illness and is questionable to return. Al Horford started the third quarter and will see his minutes increase if Porzingis cannot return. There will also be more minutes available to Luke Kornet. |
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Jrue Holiday Jrue Holiday (hamstring) absent from injury report
Sun, May 4, 2025, 11:07 AM
NBA Injury Report
Jrue Holiday (hamstring) is off the injury report for Game 1 against the Knicks on Monday.
Analysis: Holiday fully participated in Saturday's practice after missing the final three games of the Celtics' first-round series against the Magic. He's absent from the injury report for Monday, so Boston will have its full rotation available to begin the second round. Due to Holiday's return, Al Horford will come off the bench. |
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Jrue Holiday Jrue Holiday (hamstring) practices fully Saturday
Sat, May 3, 2025, 10:08 AM
Bobby Krivitsky
Jrue Holiday (hamstring) was a full participant in practice on Saturday.
Analysis: When asked about Holiday's recovery, head coach Joe Mazzulla said, âHe was able to do everything that we worked on. He's getting better everyday.â Al Horford has been starting in place of Holiday and will likely remain in that role for Game 1 against the Knicks on Monday if Holiday remains out. The injury report should provide a clearer update on Holiday, but this is a positive development for his chances of returning after missing Games 3-5 against the Magic. |
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Kristaps Porzingis Kristaps Porzingis limited by early foul trouble
Tue, Apr 29, 2025, 5:26 PM
Kristaps Porzingis logged 21 minutes in Tuesday's Game 5 win over the Magic, scoring nine points (3-of-8 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs) with two rebounds, one assist, one steal and one blocked shot.
Analysis: Porzingis got into foul trouble in Game 5, picking up three fouls during the first half. And for the second straight game, he was brought off the bench to begin the third quarter. Payton Pritchard (10/3/1 with two three-pointers in 25 minutes) started the third as the Celtics went small. Porzingis played 22 and 21 minutes in the final two games of this series, so the time off before the start of the second round may be beneficial to the Celtics center. Next up for Boston is either New York or Detroit. |
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Jaylen Brown Jaylen Brown (knee) drops 23 points in Game 5 win
Tue, Apr 29, 2025, 5:23 PM
Sean Grande
Jaylen Brown (knee) tallied 23 points (9-of-18 FGs, 3-of-5 FTs), six rebounds, three assists and two three-pointers in 32 minutes in a Game 5 win over the Magic on Tuesday.
Analysis: Brown's right knee continues to be an issue, but he logged 32 minutes in Game 5 and was efficient offensively. Boston taking care of business in five games will provide the banged-up champions with valuable rest before the second round begins. And this group made some franchise history, winning their fifth consecutive playoff series. That's the sixth time the Celtics have accomplished that feat. However, the Brown/Tatum-led Celtics are the first to win all five series in five games or fewer. Next up for the reigning champs will be either New York or Detroit in the second round. |
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