Kristaps Porzingis has a lengthy history of missing time in the playoffs, and yet he hasn’t faced anything quite like the viral illness that is draining his energy during this conference semifinal series against the Knicks.
Porzingis missed the Eastern Conference semifinals and finals last year as the Celtics marched toward their 18th title largely without him. First, it was a calf strain that hampered him. Then, after he returned for the NBA Finals, he sustained a rare ankle injury that forced him into offseason surgery.
He also tore his meniscus during his first playoff series with the Mavericks in 2020.