As the Boston Celtics gear up for a pivotal Game 4 against the New York Knicks, all eyes are on Kristaps Porzingis. The 7’2″ big man has been clearly limited by a lingering viral illness. Still, he’s gutting it out. The big question: will he play tonight?

He’s expected to suit up again, even though the virus is still holding him back. This isn’t just a playoff cold. The same illness already sidelined him for nine games in February and March. Now it’s back—at the worst possible time. There’s no official injury tag for Game 4, but anyone watching can tell—he’s a step slow.

In Game 3, he scored just five points—all from the line. He missed every shot from the field. But on defense? He swatted three shots and gave Boston some badly needed rim protection. That’s been the theme lately: effort over execution. Here’s how Kristaps Porzingis’ series has looked so far:

However, the Celtics’ depth is further tested by the absence of Sam Hauser (SF), who is dealing with an ankle injury. Hauser has been ruled out for Game 4, which further challenges Boston’s rotations. The 27-year-old’s shooting, especially from beyond the arc, has been a key part of Boston’s offensive structure. His absence puts more pressure on the likes of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum to step up.

The numbers tell part of the story, but the bigger impact goes beyond the box score. As Game 4 approaches, the Celtics are relying on their depth while hoping for even a fraction of Kristaps Porzingis’ regular-season form. Coach Joe Mazzulla has praised Porzingis’ defensive contributions, despite his illness limiting his offensive impact.

With the 29-year-old’s absence affecting their spacing and playmaking, Boston has shifted roles, moving Al Horford to center and leaning on bench players. Yet, Porzingis’ size and rim protection still provide a defensive edge. In a critical Game 4, the Cs’ success hinges on their ability to adapt, with every minute from Kristaps Porzingis a bonus in their quest for a vital win.

But going back to ‘The Unicorn,’ Boston isn’t just managing minutes—they’re rewriting their game plan in real time.

Kristaps Porzingis’ Illness Is Forcing Boston Celtics to Adjust on the Fly

Coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed that Kristaps Porzingis’ still dealing with the same virus from earlier in the year and admitted the Celtics have had to manage his minutes closely. The Latvian, meanwhile, hasn’t sugar-coated it. “It just kills me inside that it’s happening in this moment,” he said. “It’s not an injury or anything, but just not feeling my best. It’s tough for me, honestly, but who cares? Nobody feels sorry for us, sorry for me, and we have to keep going.”

This isn’t load management—it’s damage control. Porzingis has been open about how the illness is zapping his energy, killing his stamina, and making basic things—like getting up and down the court—feel like a chore. He’s been taking IVs, immune boosters, and changing his sleep routine to try and feel normal again. As Shams Charania put it, “He’s essentially waking up every day hoping and praying that he feels better.”

The illness has straight-up derailed what was a rock-solid season. During the regular season, Kristaps Porzingis was giving the Celtics 20 a night and shooting over 41% from deep. In the playoffs? That number’s plummeted to just 16% from three, and he’s been held to single digits in five of Boston’s games. The spacing suffers, the inside-out threat disappears, and the Celtics have had to pivot on the fly.

Mazzulla’s leaned into the team’s depth, with Al Horford stepping into the starting five and Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman picking up the scraps. “Our depth is one of our strengths,” Mazzulla said, “but having a player like KP is something you want to maximize.” That “maximize” part hasn’t been possible so far—but credit to Porzingis, who’s still trying to make an impact defensively, even with the tank on E.

So yes—he’s playing. But the real question is: how long and how much can he give you?