BOSTON — As the regular season begins to wind down, the Boston Celtics’ priorities will slowly start to shift. Rather than focusing on every possible win they can get, they will instead look to maintain a solid level of health. From Jrue Holiday’s mallet finger to Jaylen Brown’s knee, they will want everyone healthy. Including Kristaps Porzingis.
The Celtics’ game against the Jazz on Monday night marked the sixth straight game Porzingis missed with an illness. Before the game, Joe Mazzulla noted that he was “getting close” to a return, but outside of that, there had been no real update on what was wrong with Porzingis. And that wasn’t even a real update itself.
So, Porzingis took it upon himself to provide an update.
Kristaps Porzingis just provided an update on his illness
At halftime of Boston’s game vs. Utah, Porzingis went to Twitter to set the record straight. He revealed that he’s been dealing with a viral illness that they have not been able to identify:
“I have been dealing with some viral illness that we haven't been able to fully identify yet.. 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. 🙏💚”
I have been dealing with some viral illness that we haven't been able to fully identify yet. I am recovering and getting better. But still working my way back to full strenght to help this team. Thanks for support and Im hoping for a healthy return soon. 🙏💚 pic.twitter.com/3HdJvdYRG3
— Kristaps Porzingis (@kporzee) March 11, 2025
Prior to missing time with an illness, Porzingis had just begun to get in the swing of things. His fit with the team looked a bit choppy immediately after his return from offseason surgery back in November, but they had started to figure things out.
He was finding his rhythm in the paint and as a three-point floor-spacer. But perhaps more importantly, he was a monster in the paint on the defensive end. His help-side defense was slowly becoming a staple of Boston’s game plans on that end of the floor, especially since Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown are capable of guarding opposing centers.
Ever since Porzingis missed his second straight game with an illness, fans had been begging for an update. But nothing came. Until now.
While it may not be the desired outcome for fans, Porzingis explaining his situation is certainly the update that fans begged for—because at least they now know what’s going on.
Celtics fans are no longer living in the dark, wondering if the illness was just Boston’s way of keeping Porzingis out for a few extra games of rest. That’s just not the case.