Kristaps Porzingis only played 13 minutes in Game 1 against the Knicks and had 0 points. So you’d expect that he’d be looking for retribution in Game 2, right? Well, things didn’t go too well for him in this game either, as the Celtics narrowly lost by 1 point. The Knicks now have a 2-0 advantage in this series. And after the game, Kristaps revealed the issue that’s plagued him during this series — it’s the same one that caused him a lot of grief in the regular season.

“I’m dealing with some, I don’t know how to call it, but I’m just not feeling my best. I’m not feeling my best at all,” said the Celtics star. He continued, “And, but, you know, it’s just, it kills me inside that it’s happening in this moment, and I have the what I’m super appreciative about is about the support that I have, like, in the inside, also probably from the fans.”

But then Kristaps made a depressing admission about NBA players in general. “And it’s tough for me, honestly, but who cares? We still, nobody feels sorry for us, sorry for me, and we have to keep going,” said the Latvian superstar. And he did try to keep the show going in Game 2 against the Knicks.

However, with only 14 minutes played and 8 points scored, it’s safe to say this illness hindered him once more. Now, this tally is still an upgrade over Game 1, but Kristaps still didn’t look to be 100% in the Celtics’ second straight loss. But the Celtics’ big man being this compromised in these games begs a simple question.

What is this illness that’s plaguing the Latvian superstar? Well, Kristaps himself revealed that it’s the same illness that caused him problems in the regular season. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

What is this mystery illness that’s ailing Kristaps Porzingis?

During the 2024/25 regular season, in late February and early March, Kristaps Porzingis missed eight consecutive games for the Boston Celtics. Why? Well, he was suffering from a viral upper respiratory illness. And now, the Celtics star seemed to confirm that this same issue has resurfaced during the series against the Knicks.

“Probably. Probably,” said Kristaps when asked if the two bouts of illness were related to each other. He then revealed how he’s felt since the onset of this illness. “I’ve had ups and downs up until this point, and just now had a big crash. My energy, my everything, hasn’t been good,” he said. However, his head coach, Joe Mazzulla, said that he had “no idea” if Porzingis’ current illness is the same one he suffered from in March.

But Mazzulla did say that the effects of the illness he fought in March still lingered now. “Since he came back, I think he’s been kind of dealing with it on and off, fighting through it, working through it, doing the best he can,” said the Celtics head coach. And Porzingis showing up to both the Knicks games despite not being 100% just shows how much of a warrior he’s been in the face of this malady.

All in all, after going 2-0 down in this series, the Boston Celtics need Porzingis more than ever. They need his energy, his rebounding, and his offensive output to get them over the line. If not, they may lose their chance to repeat as champions at the hands of their heated rivals, the New York Knicks.