Kristaps Porzingis shares honest thoughts on mystery illness that derails Celtics postseason
Boston Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis gave more insight on the mystery illness he has been suffering through the playoffs with, with the New York Knicks in the driver's seat in the series
Kristaps Porzingis shared his thoughts on his battle with an ongoing mystery illness.
Currently, the Boston Celtics find themselves down 0-2 to the New York Knicks, which has seen fans from both sides brawling after Game 2 outside of TD Garden. Some fans also believe that Cardinal Robert Prevost's selection as the first American Pope could also spell disaster for the Celtics.
Regardless, Boston finds itself down in the semifinals, though it is clear that Porzingis is not at 100 percent. Speaking to reporters after the Celtics' Game 2 loss, the star shared more information on the illness that his severely limited his availability in this series.
"I'm just not feeling my best," Porzingis said. "I'm not feeling my best at all. It just kills me inside that it's happening in this moment. What I'm super appreciative about is the support that I have on the inside and also probably from the fans, but especially here, inside the organization."
The Latvian star played 13 minutes in Game 1 before being ruled out for the rest of the contest with the mystery illness. In Game 2, Porzingis came off the bench and played 14 minutes, scoring eight points, though it was clear the illness had hampered him greatly.
Before Game 2, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla spoke on the illness Porzingis is dealing with and stated that his star has been his best to manage it while still being able to contribute. "Since he came back, I think he's kind of been dealing with it and all fighting through it, working through it, doing the best that he can" he said, per ESPN.
"And I think it was just too much for him in that game. He had been working through it since he's gotten back and he's done a great job of being available and it was just tough for him to continue yesterday. So we'll see how he handles that."
As the Celtics look to take one game in New York to inch back into the series, the 29-year-old understands that the Knicks are not thinking about his health or the fitness of any of Boston's players this late in the season.
"It's not no injury or nothing, but I'm just not feeling my best," he continued. "And it's tough for me, honestly, but who cares? Nobody feels sorry for us, sorry for me, and we have to keep going."
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And while Porzingis looks to get healthy enough to provide a significant impact for the Celtics, some fans believe Pope Leo XIV's election spells the end of Boston's reign as champion.
The Pope is a graduate of Villanova and three of the Knicks' biggest stars - Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart - also played basketball at the University. As such, fans on social media were quick to point out the connection between the two seemingly different topics.
"Over the last 72 hours, Villanova fans have watched Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart help the Knicks take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals, an alumnus become the first American Pope. Solid stretch!" a fan wrote.
Meanwhile, another posted: "The new Pope, Leo XIV, is a Villanova graduate. It's meant to be." In the same vein, an excited fan added: "The Pope is a Villanova guy. Knicks might just win the whole thing."