The Boston Celtics suffered a heartbreaking 91-90 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 2 of the second-round NBA Playoff series, despite leading by 20 points in the second half. With this defeat, the defending champions are now down 0-2 as the series heads to New York City.
Celtics Blow Another Big Lead
For the second straight game, the Celtics lost a 20-point lead, a worrying trend for a team aiming to defend their title. The momentum now shifts in favor of the Knicks, who will play the next two games at home with a strong chance to take full control of the series.
Porzingis Returns but Not at Full Strength
Kristaps Porzingis, who missed Game 1 due to illness, returned in Game 2 but played limited minutes off the bench. He scored 8 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in just 14 minutes, shooting an efficient 3-of-5 from the field.
Speaking to the media after the game, Porzingis made a raw and honest statement about his condition:
“I’m just not feeling my best. It kills me inside that it’s happening at this moment… But who cares? Nobody feels sorry for me. We have to keep going.”
Mysterious Illness Raises Questions
Porzingis’s health has become a major concern. According to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, this illness previously kept him out for eight games in March, and the lingering effects are still unclear:
“This Porzingis illness is bizarre… lingering effects in May? And no one can explain it?” — Chris Mannix
What’s Next?
The Celtics face a must-win situation in Game 3, scheduled for Saturday afternoon in New York City. With their season on the line, the team will need Porzingis at full strength and must find a way to close out games after holding big leads.
