The Celtics played the Jazz on Monday, and for the sixth straight game, they were without big man Kristaps Porzingis. The team has said he’s been out with an illness, it’s just that it’s unclear when he could return to the court.
There have been questions about Porzingis' status going forward, and the big man looked to clear the air. He released a post on social media midway through Monday’s game, updating his status.
“I have been dealing with some viral illness that we haven’t been able to fully identify yet,” Porzingis posted on social media. “I am recovering and getting better. But still working my way back to full strength to help this team. Thanks for support and Im hoping for a healthy return soon.”
Porzingis has been around the team in recent weeks. C’s coach Joe Mazzulla said the big man was a part of practice last Tuesday. He was also on the C’s bench last Thursday. The big man wasn’t on the C’s bench during the first half of their game against the Jazz on Monday. Mazzulla said pregame Monday that he was “getting close” to returning.
Porzingis originally sat out with the illness in the win over the Raptors on Feb. 25 as he was a late scratch right before the game. Then he played in the Pistons loss the next day, though he looked sluggish and wasn’t at 100%. Since then, he’s sat the past six games. He was listed as doubtful ahead of Monday’s game against the Jazz before being downgraded to out.
“He’s sick,” Mazzulla said last Thursday. “He’s coming into the facility every day trying to get shots up, sweat it out. He’s just not feeling well. He is working to get back.”
The team will hope their talented big man will be back on the court soon. He missed the first month of the season due to an offseason surgery to repair the foot injury he suffered in the 2024 NBA Finals. Thus far this season, Porzingis is averaging 18.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 32 games (all starts).
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