In a Game 2 that had its share of physicality and playoff intensity, the Boston Celtics held off the surging Orlando Magic to take a 2-0 series lead. But the moment that had Celtics fans holding their breath came midway through the third quarter, when star big man Kristaps Porzingis took a hard hit and went down, clutching his head after a collision near the basket.
The TD Garden crowd went silent. Porzingis, Boston’s towering 7’3” forward-center who has become a key part of the team’s playoff push, stayed down for a few moments before being helped to his feet by teammates and the medical staff. Though clearly shaken up, he eventually walked off under his own power and was later ruled out for the remainder of the game with a head injury.
After the game, head coach Joe Mazzulla addressed the media and offered a strong show of support for his big man—focusing not just on Porzingis’ physical recovery, but on the grit he showed even in pain.
“Kristaps is as tough as they come,” Mazzulla said. “You don’t always see it because he’s quiet, but he’s a fighter. He took a hard shot, and he wanted to come back in. That says everything.”
That toughness has been one of the defining storylines of Porzingis’ first season in Boston. Known throughout his career for his elite shooting and shot-blocking ability, Porzingis has often had to deal with injuries that slowed down his momentum, especially during stints in New York and Dallas. But in Boston, he’s played with a renewed sense of purpose, embracing his role as both rim protector and stretch-four in one of the NBA’s most potent lineups.
Before the injury in Game 2, Porzingis had already made his presence felt—scoring 14 points, grabbing six rebounds, and swatting away two shots. His ability to space the floor and switch defensively against Orlando’s young, athletic frontcourt was a key part of Boston’s early control of the game. And it’s that impact—combined with his willingness to battle through physical play—that Mazzulla and his teammates were quick to highlight after the win.
“KP’s toughness often gets overlooked because of how smooth his game is,” said Jayson Tatum. “But he’s been one of our most consistent guys when it comes to fighting through contact and giving us an edge on both ends.”
Jaylen Brown echoed those sentiments. “He wants to win, man. You can feel it. Even when he got hit, he was trying to convince the trainers he could go back in. That’s a competitor.”
Boston’s training staff has not provided an official update on Porzingis’ status for Game 3 in Orlando, but Mazzulla said the team will “err on the side of caution” and evaluate him day-to-day. “The most important thing is his health,” Mazzulla said. “But knowing KP, if he can go, he will.”
For the Celtics, Porzingis’ presence in the lineup has been transformative. His combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ gives Boston a dynamic few teams can match. And even more importantly, his grit and willingness to do the dirty work—diving for loose balls, contesting every shot, and battling in the paint—has made him a fan favorite and a true difference-maker in this series.
As the Celtics look ahead to Game 3, the focus will naturally be on how they adjust if Porzingis can’t suit up. But if you ask anyone in the locker room, there’s no doubt that he’ll be back the moment he’s cleared.
“Kristaps is built for this,” Mazzulla said. “And we’ve got his back, just like he’s had ours all season.”
