Kristaps Porzingis is facing a challenging postseason after a strong regular season, where he averaged 19.5 points. In the first round against the Orlando Magic, he managed only 12.0 points per game, a worrying trend for the Boston Celtics as they head into their semifinals against the New York Knicks. An illness has severely limited his playing time to just 13.4 minutes per game, compounding the team's difficulties as they trail 0-2 in the series.

Despite these setbacks, Porzingis has been cleared to play for Game 3, a welcome boost for the Celtics. He previously averaged 24.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists against the Knicks during the regular season, showcasing his potential to turn things around. His performance will be crucial as Boston seeks to overcome a tough frontcourt challenge posed by New York's Karl-Anthony Towns.