- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 443,129
- Reaction score
- 44
ORLANDO — When the Celtics marched to the 2024 NBA title, they did so mostly without Kristaps Porzingis making an impact. He got hurt in the first round against the Heat, missed the following two rounds, then got injured again in the NBA Finals before making one last impact in the clinching Game 5 win over the Mavericks.
But the Celtics can’t go without their talented big man unavailable or ineffective for that long these playoffs. Through three games against the Magic, as he admitted, he hasn’t been good enough. It was another disappointing performance in Game 3 as Porzingis finished with seven points and six rebounds on 3-for-10 shooting, including 0-for-3 on 3-pointers. He was also a team-worst minus-16 in his 34 minutes. After the Celtics lost to the Magic in Game 3, Porzingis made a concerning admission amid his struggles as he’s also now 0-for-10 on 3-pointers these playoffs.
“My shot’s feeling a little janky right now, I’m not going to lie,” Porzingis said. “But I have to keep shooting. What else am I going to do? I’m gonna keep shooting. But it stings, man. This game, I have to take accountability. I played like (expletive). And we still had opportunities to win. For sure we’ll get together again and correct some of our mistakes, and we’ll bounce back.”
When Porzingis was first unleashed in Boston, the vision was clear. His ability to space the floor, attack mismatches in the post and rim protection added new elements to the Celtics roster. They were whole when their talented big man was at his best, shooting confidently from deep while altering shots on the other end.
But even though Porzingis got a ring last season, his playoff track record still leaves question marks. He has yet to play more than seven playoff games in one year. When he does play, the physicality of the playoffs have been an issue. The Magic have leaned into that when going up against the big man this series, making life difficult for him.
Porzingis found some success in Game 2 even when the shots refused to fall. He drew foul after foul, going 10-for-14 on free throws. So even though he shot 5-for-14 from the field, he affected the game in other areas. Plus his bloody shot after taking an elbow to the head from Goga Bitadze was another memorable playoff moment. But there are frustrating moments as the big man said he knows he hasn’t played well.
“You get a little emotional in the game,” Porzingis said. “It’s normal. Just showing emotion. I just want to — especially the easy ones for me. That’s what I get frustrated at. Whatever it is, whatever I catch that moment. I’m like, ‘Ah, that’s an easy bucket for me. I can’t miss that.’ That’s why I get frustrated."
The Celtics have shown they can beat the Magic this series even without Porzingis at his best. In Game 1, Porzingis shot 1-for-8 in 26 minutes, but the C’s won going away in a blowout. But as the injuries pile up, Porzingis will need to be there for his teammates. Jayson Tatum already missed Game 2 due to his right wrist issue; Jaylen Brown continues to nurse his right knee, plus he dislocated his finger Friday. Jrue Holiday also missed Game 3 due to a right hamstring strain.
So that leaves Porzingis, somewhat ironically, as one of the healthier Celtics regulars on the roster. The C’s, while it wasn’t easy, never faced an elimination game last playoffs, going 16-3 through the four rounds. But that likely won’t be the case this season. As the 7-foot-2 longtime unicorn, he brings a different element to the game that can’t be replicated — and that’s why the Celtics need him at his best.
“That’s the battle that we’re facing,” Porzingis said. “Less whistles, sometimes no whistle. We just got to play through all of these chaotic moments within the game. That’s the game. That’s the game. But we’ve seen it already before and tonight they got us, they got one. So again, we regroup and we come back.”
Continue reading...
But the Celtics can’t go without their talented big man unavailable or ineffective for that long these playoffs. Through three games against the Magic, as he admitted, he hasn’t been good enough. It was another disappointing performance in Game 3 as Porzingis finished with seven points and six rebounds on 3-for-10 shooting, including 0-for-3 on 3-pointers. He was also a team-worst minus-16 in his 34 minutes. After the Celtics lost to the Magic in Game 3, Porzingis made a concerning admission amid his struggles as he’s also now 0-for-10 on 3-pointers these playoffs.
“My shot’s feeling a little janky right now, I’m not going to lie,” Porzingis said. “But I have to keep shooting. What else am I going to do? I’m gonna keep shooting. But it stings, man. This game, I have to take accountability. I played like (expletive). And we still had opportunities to win. For sure we’ll get together again and correct some of our mistakes, and we’ll bounce back.”
When Porzingis was first unleashed in Boston, the vision was clear. His ability to space the floor, attack mismatches in the post and rim protection added new elements to the Celtics roster. They were whole when their talented big man was at his best, shooting confidently from deep while altering shots on the other end.
But even though Porzingis got a ring last season, his playoff track record still leaves question marks. He has yet to play more than seven playoff games in one year. When he does play, the physicality of the playoffs have been an issue. The Magic have leaned into that when going up against the big man this series, making life difficult for him.
Porzingis found some success in Game 2 even when the shots refused to fall. He drew foul after foul, going 10-for-14 on free throws. So even though he shot 5-for-14 from the field, he affected the game in other areas. Plus his bloody shot after taking an elbow to the head from Goga Bitadze was another memorable playoff moment. But there are frustrating moments as the big man said he knows he hasn’t played well.
“You get a little emotional in the game,” Porzingis said. “It’s normal. Just showing emotion. I just want to — especially the easy ones for me. That’s what I get frustrated at. Whatever it is, whatever I catch that moment. I’m like, ‘Ah, that’s an easy bucket for me. I can’t miss that.’ That’s why I get frustrated."
The Celtics have shown they can beat the Magic this series even without Porzingis at his best. In Game 1, Porzingis shot 1-for-8 in 26 minutes, but the C’s won going away in a blowout. But as the injuries pile up, Porzingis will need to be there for his teammates. Jayson Tatum already missed Game 2 due to his right wrist issue; Jaylen Brown continues to nurse his right knee, plus he dislocated his finger Friday. Jrue Holiday also missed Game 3 due to a right hamstring strain.
So that leaves Porzingis, somewhat ironically, as one of the healthier Celtics regulars on the roster. The C’s, while it wasn’t easy, never faced an elimination game last playoffs, going 16-3 through the four rounds. But that likely won’t be the case this season. As the 7-foot-2 longtime unicorn, he brings a different element to the game that can’t be replicated — and that’s why the Celtics need him at his best.
“That’s the battle that we’re facing,” Porzingis said. “Less whistles, sometimes no whistle. We just got to play through all of these chaotic moments within the game. That’s the game. That’s the game. But we’ve seen it already before and tonight they got us, they got one. So again, we regroup and we come back.”
More Celtics content
- Joe Mazzulla’s questionable moves prove costly in Game 3 Magic loss
- Jaylen Brown injury: Boston Celtics star dislocates finger in Game 3 loss
- Jayson Tatum takes playful jab at Joe Mazzulla after Game 3 Magic loss
- NBA announces unusual start time for Game 5 of Celtics vs. Magic series
Continue reading...
