Kristaps Porziņģis had enough of the whispers. This after Boston Celtics fans were left scratching their heads following him missing eight straight games with a mysterious illness. Well, Porziņģis made sure his return was loud and clear.
In his first game back, the Latvian big man dropped 24 points, including 14 clutch points in the fourth quarter, helping Boston escape the Brooklyn Nets with a nail-biting 115-113 win.
But for Porziņģis, this game wasn’t just about the stats — it was about setting the record straight.
Kristaps Porziņģis Claps Back at Critics Over His Absence
For weeks, fans speculated about Porziņģis’ condition. Some questioned why he was out for so long, while others feared a more serious issue. The big man took to social media to clear the air.
“I have been dealing with some viral illness that we haven’t been able to fully identify yet. I am recovering and getting better,” Porziņģis wrote. “But still working my way back to full strength to help this team. Thanks for support and I’m hoping for a healthy return soon.”
When he finally returned to the court, Porziņģis was asked about his tweet, to which he responded by smashing the doubts once and for all.
I asked Kristaps Porzingis what compelled him to send a Tweet last week updating fans:
“I saw on social media — people want to know what’s going on, why I’m out for so long. Obviously, it was frustrating for me — illness (out), illness (out). Cmon this guy can’t play through… pic.twitter.com/OLgQBCsAHF
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) March 16, 2025
“I saw on social media — people want to know what’s going on, why I’m out for so long,” Porziņģis explained. “Obviously, it was frustrating for me — illness (out), illness (out). C’mon, this guy can’t play through some illness? I just wanted to let people know I was really dealing with something. I would never sit out for a cough or something.”
So no load management, no “soft” excuses — just a player battling something that couldn’t even be fully diagnosed.
Porziņģis Back on the Court, Back in the Flow
Porziņģis wasted no time making his presence felt against Brooklyn. He looked like his usual self, spacing the floor, knocking down shots, and protecting the paint.
While Boston controlled most of the game, things got tense late in the fourth quarter. That’s when the 7-foot-3 sharpshooter stepped up, scoring 14 of his 24 points in crunch time to help the Celtics hold off a furious Nets rally.
Boston is already a dominant force, but with Porziņģis back in the mix, the ceiling only gets higher. The Celtics’ big man may have missed time, but if this performance was any indication, Porziņģis is ready to remind everyone why he’s a game-changer for this championship-hungry squad.
Now, it’s all about staying on the court — and proving this was just a small bump in the road.