Boston Celtics
September 2025
The Boston Celtics, 2024 NBA champions, face calls to tank the season after losing Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Jayson Tatum to injury or exits. With a depleted squad, Caroline Fenton suggested embracing a rebuild and targeting local star prospect AJ Dybansta in the draft. Despite remaining talent, analysts believe Boston no longer has a championship-calibre roster.
Kristaps Porzingis (Boston Celtics)
May 2025, Game 2 of Eastern Conference Semifinals
Kristaps Porzingis came off the bench in Game 2 against the New York Knicks after missing the second half of Game 1 due to illness. He had been listed as probable before being cleared just 30 minutes before tip-off.
Porzingis entered late in the first quarter for Derrick White but is still managing symptoms from the same illness that sidelined him late in the regular season. Reserve Sam Hauser was unavailable due to a Game 1 ankle sprain.
Kristaps Porzingis (Boston Celtics)
May 8, 2025 (Game 2, Eastern Conference Semifinals)
Kristaps Porzingis is listed as probable for Game 2 after missing the second half of Game 1 due to a lingering non-COVID illness that has affected him since February.
Coach Joe Mazzulla noted Porzingis has been pushing through the illness but couldn’t continue in Game 1. Though now probable, his postseason form has dipped. Sam Hauser remains doubtful after an ankle sprain.
Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
April 26, 2025 (First-Round Playoffs, Game 3)
Boston Celtics criticized Orlando Magic’s physical play after multiple flagrant fouls caused injuries to Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jaylen Brown in a 95-93 Game 3 loss.
Tatum suffered a wrist bruise, Porzingis needed stitches, and Brown dislocated his finger. Despite Tatum’s 36 points, turnovers and Magic’s defense disrupted Boston, cutting their series lead to 2-1.