Kristaps Porzingis is clearly feeling the strain, very much so.
The 7-3 forward only managed to get in 27 minutes during a recent game, likely a result of the Knicks’ two victories in Boston earlier this week, along with a lingering viral illness that kept him out for nine games back in February and March.
“His versatility on both sides of the court is crucial; when he’s not there, you definitely feel it,” Madzura noted before Saturday’s Game 3 at Madison Square Garden. “Our depth is a big advantage, but having someone like KP available is something we really want.”
“We’re counting on KP to do his best, and we know he’s putting in the effort to be ready,” he added.
NBA insider Shams Charania shared some insights during pre-game coverage for ABC, detailing how Porzingis has been struggling.
“He’s been losing stamina and energy for quite some time—he thought he had turned a corner when the playoffs kicked off in mid-April,” Charania said. “But right before Game 1, he faced a setback. He’s been exploring various methods to alleviate side effects and is reportedly receiving an IV and an immune booster.”
“He’s even adjusted his sleep routine to try to gain more energy. Honestly, I’ve heard Marika [Andrews] express her hopes for him to feel better every day,” he remarked.
Update on the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs
The former Knicks lottery pick had a lackluster performance in just 13 minutes during the series opener, leaving midway through the second quarter. In Game 2, he scored eight points in 14 minutes off the bench but sat out the last 8:27 as his team squandered a 20-point lead again.
After Game 2, Porzingis confessed, “I’m not sure what to call it, but I’m not at my best.” He added, “Even though it’s not an injury, it’s tough being away from the guys at this moment. But honestly, who cares?”
At 29 years old, Porzingis wasn’t listed on the injury report for Game 3, and Mazzulla mentioned he “feels better,” yet KP didn’t make the starting lineup for the second consecutive game as the series heads to New York.
The Latvian center made one three-pointer in Game 2, but overall struggled during playoffs, hitting only 16.7% of his attempts from beyond the arc after ending the regular season with a .412 shooting percentage.
He managed double digits in all but one of his regular season games, but he’s found himself in single digits for five playoff outings.
“I thought [his] minutes in Game 2 were significant,” Mazzulla commented.
“He’s trying to contribute as much as he can. Each game has its unique circumstances based on what he’s capable of, and I appreciate what KP did in the last game,” he remarked.
