Kristaps Porzingis Sends Emotional Message to Celtics Fans Amid Illness

Kristaps Porzingis Sends Emotional Message to Celtics Fans Amid Illness

Despite clearly still being sick, Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis has tried to tough it out during the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Even though he has been limited in multiple games, he technically hasn’t missed a game yet.

Porzingis has been dealing with an illness, which has forced the Celtics to play him off the bench more. Though he hasn’t been able to score much, Porzingis may have had his best game against his former team, the New York Knicks, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Porzingis only scored five points, all of which came from the free throw line, but he registered three blocks, the most he’s had in a playoff game throughout the run.

After the game, Porzingis voiced his appreciation for the Celtics’ fanbase, seemingly acknowledging playing through his struggles in the process. Despite not being at his best, the Latvian big man is doing all he can to play for the fans.

On Sunday, he shared a picture of himself on his Instagram story with the caption, “thankful for all the support people 🫶 onwards and upwards.”

Indications are that Porzingis’ illness is the same one that kept him out of multiple games in March. Statistics would indicate that it’s only gotten worse as the playoffs have progressed, as he put up better numbers against a better defense in the Orlando Magic.

Something that’s also gone under the radar is that Porzingis just reached his career high in the number of playoff games played in a single postseason with eight. In previous years, he missed games because he got hurt. This year, it’s been different, but he’s still been limited because of his illness.