Is Kristaps Porzingis Playing Tonight? Exploring Celtics vs Knicks Injury Report for Star’s Status Ahead of Game 3

The Boston Celtics head into Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals sitting in the exact spot no contender wants—down 0-2 and scrambling to stay alive. They coughed up 20-point leads in both home games and now face a red-hot Knicks squad in their own building. The big question? Can Kristaps Porzingis, still battling a viral illness?

Here’s the silver lining for Celtics fans: Kristaps Porzingis will play and is expected to start. No “questionable” label. No injury designation. On the surface, the 7-foot-2 big man looks ready to go. But the reality paints a different picture.

Kristaps Porzingis has battled a viral illness that drained his energy and slowed his game to a crawl. He logged just 13 minutes and scored zero points in Game 1. In Game 2, he managed 8 points in 14 minutes before bowing out again. He looked gassed, and he said as much after the loss.

“I’m dealing with some, I don’t know how to call it, but I’m just not feeling my best… It just kills me inside that it’s happening in this moment… It’s not an injury or anything, but just not feeling my best, and it’s tough for me, honestly. But who cares? Nobody feels sorry for us, sorry for me, and we have to keep going.”

Coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed that Porzingis is likely dealing with the same illness that sidelined him for multiple regular-season games. So while Porzingis will suit up tonight, fans should lower their expectations. He isn’t the rim-protecting, floor-spacing weapon Boston expected to rely on in the postseason—at least not right now.

Injury Report for tomorrow at New York:

Sam Hauser (right ankle sprain) – DOUBTFUL

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 9, 2025

Sam Hauser’s situation adds to the Celtics’ challenges. The forward enters Game 3 as doubtful with an ankle injury, which weakens Boston’s wing rotation and strips them of a key shooter off the bench. Without Hauser and with Porzingis still recovering, Boston won’t have its full arsenal—either physically or mentally. That reality makes Saturday’s clash at Madison Square Garden even more critical.

Why Game 3 Is the Celtics’ Do-or-Die Moment

No NBA squad has ever pulled off the impossible—coming back from a 0-3 hole to win a playoff series. Teams up 3-0 are a flawless 159-0, making that comeback dream feel like a fairy tale. Sure, a handful of teams have managed to drag it to Game 7 after being down 0-3—shoutout to the 1951 Knicks, the 1994 Nuggets, the 2003 Trail Blazers, and of course, the 2023 Celtics (you almost did it, guys).

Boston knows that story well. Just two years ago, the Celtics stormed back from 0-3 against Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals, forced a Game 7 at home, and then ran out of gas. That memory still stings — and now it looms.

That’s what makes Saturday’s Game 3 at Madison Square Garden a must-win. After coughing up 20-point leads in both home games, Boston isn’t just fighting the Knicks anymore — they’re staring down the weight of NBA history. No margin for error. No more room to “figure it out later.” Every possession matters. And the rotation decisions in Game 3 could define the series — or end it.

Celtics Depth Chart for Game 3 vs Knicks

With Kristaps Porzingis battling illness and Sam Hauser listed as doubtful due to an ankle injury, Boston’s rotation looks shaky heading into a must-win Game 3. Head coach Joe Mazzulla may have to get creative with his lineups, particularly on the wing and in small-ball sets. Here’s a look at the projected depth chart heading into Saturday’s showdown at Madison Square Garden:

With Boston’s usual stability disrupted by illness and injury, Game 3 will test their depth, resilience, and coaching. If Porzingis can give them meaningful minutes and the bench steps up in Hauser’s absence, the Celtics might just claw their way back into the series. If not, they’ll be staring down the wrong side of NBA history.

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