Boston Celtics face New York Knicks in crucial Game 4. Kristaps Porzingis battles illness, impacting his performance. His offensive struggles force Celtics to adapt. Game 3 saw Celtics dominate with strong shooting and defense.

ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania said on ABC’s coverage before Knicks-Celtics Game 3 on Saturday that Porzingis is still dealing with the effects of a virus that had ailed him back in March. Charania said the Celtics star thought he had felt he improved, but things have been up-and-down since the second round began this week.

The Boston Celtics are sticking with Al Horford as their starting center for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, even though Kristaps Porzingis is available to play.

While the Knicks faltered from there and missed the playoffs, Porzingis averaged 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game and finished second in NBA Rookie of the Year voting, behind only Karl-Anthony Towns, then of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Kristaps Porzingis sent a message to his former team ahead of the second-round playoff matchup between the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics

If Kristaps Porzingis plays at all for the rest of the Boston Celtics’ playoff series against the New York Knicks,