The Knicks vs. Celtics, a storied Eastern Conference rivalry, renews tonight. Prior to this, the teams have clashed 15 times, the second most for any playoff battle. It’s the Beantown that edges out slightly with an 8-7 record. Even the recent record of 0-4 during the regular season against the Knicks suggests that Boston is better and the favorite in this series. Even Charles Barkley feels the same, but he issued a caution that another championship run depends on Kristaps Porzingis’ form.

During the recent broadcast of Inside the NBA, Ernie Johnson reminded everybody about the Knicks’ 0-10 record against the top 3 NBA teams. Adding to that, Chuck boldly predicted the Celtics not just to win the series but even a sweep. “That’s the reason they haven’t beat him, they’re not good enough. The Celtics going to win the series, probably a gentleman sweep. But the Knicks are not good enough to beat the Celtics.” However, despite that prediction, Charles Barkley has some warning for Joe Mazzulla and co.

Ernie Johnson would present the stats of Porzingis from the 1st round series against the Orlando Magic. “Your guy Porzingis, I know you talk about him and how important he is in the Boston scheme, but he’s been kind of on that roller coaster in that first round-single digits, three games.” In that series, the 29YO had just 12 points, averaging 35% FG and 2-17 from the three-point range. That’s why Chuck is wary about the Celtics winning the East.

“I said last year, once they got Porzingis, the championship was a wrap. I said that last year. If he doesn’t pick up his game, the Celtics are not going to win the championship this year.” Charles Barkley signified the importance of the Latvian Center on the team, already boasting of superstars like Tatum, Holiday, Brown, and White.

“Cuz Porzingis plays well, this takes this team to a whole another level. But he has not been consistent, Ernie, just like you said, and if he but if he don’t pick it up, they’re not going to win the East.” During the regular season, Porzingis averaged 19.5 points and shot a healthy 41.2% from beyond the arc. So, that’s why Chuck wants the Celtics star to pick his game.

Charles Barkley’s concerns come true as Knicks mount a comeback

In game 1 of the semifinals, despite the superior record in the regular season, the Celtics now battle the Knicks in overtime. Despite leading at the halfway mark, 61-45, Joe Mazzulla’s task got tougher in this series. Even during the third quarter, Boston at one time at a 20-point lead, but they were not able to capitalize. Knicks eventually won the game in overtime 105-108, and to make matters worse, Porzingis left the game in the second quarter.

Kristaps Porziņģis, whom Barkley singled out as Boston’s X‑factor, managed 14 minutes before exiting with a non‑COVID upper‑respiratory illness, finishing 0‑for‑4 from the field and grabbing four rebounds prior to his early departure. Porziņģis had been sidelined for eight games in March with bronchitis‑like symptoms—an issue he called “the sickest I’ve ever been”—and reappeared only days before the playoffs, raising questions about his conditioning and stamina.

The 7-2 star struggled in his first 13 minutes of action, going scoreless while missing all four field goal attempts. With 7:34 remaining in the second quarter, the big man headed to the locker room for the remainder of the frame. The reason cited was illness and no other contact injury. He missed 11 games in February and March with an upper respiratory illness.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla admitted postgame that Boston “didn’t sustain the physicality or focus,” particularly after KP’s exit, when bench contributors like Luke Kornet (who logged a +12 in 8 first‑half minutes) couldn’t stem New York’s momentum.

Even last year, during Boston’s run to the title, Porzingis sat out six games with a calf strain. He returned for the NBA Finals, only to suffer a foot injury that required offseason surgery.  Mazzulla faces urgent tasks: rebalancing rotations, ramping up KP’s minutes cautiously, and shoring up defensive schemes to prevent another come‑from‑behind collapse against a surging Knicks squad.