Kristaps Porzingis illness: Celtics center leaves Game 1 vs. Knicks

Kristaps Porzingis left the Celtics Game 1 matchup against the Knicks Monday night in the second quarter and did not return to the game for the start of the third quarter after warming up. The team announced he was questionable to return due to illness.

Porzingis struggled in his first 13 minutes of action, going scoreless while missing all four field goal attempts. Al Horford replaced him in the game with 7:34 remaining in the second quarter and the big man headed to the locker room for the remainder of the frame.

Horford and Luke Kornet played center for the final seven minutes of the half with Porzingis sidelined.

The former Knicks standout has battled injuries throughout his postseason career failing to appear in more than seven postseason games during a playoff run, including Boston’s Finals run last year.

Porzingis was healthy against the Magic in Round 1 but did not fare well. He shot just 35 percent from the field and 11.8 percent from 3-point range as Boston overcame his offensive struggles for a 4-1 series win.

Without Porzingis available, the Celtics started Horford after halftime. Horford and Kornet are likely to see the lion’s share of minutes in Porzingis’ absence. Sam Hauser is also likely to re-enter the rotation after sitting out the first half.

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