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Boston Celtics big gets spotlight vs. Knicks and not for normal reason

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) gestures to the crowd after scoring during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks in New York, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter K. Afriyie)AP

As the Celtics prepare for the Knicks, there is naturally a spotlight on Kristaps Porzingis. Not only is the C’s big man going up against his former team in a playoff series, but he also had overlap with Knicks star Jalen Brunson in Dallas.

But the attention isn’t on him just for all those other reasons. No, the Celtics need more from Porzingis in this upcoming second-round series from a production standpoint. The Magic mucked up the series throughout the first round and Porzingis struggled overall. The playoff stage hasn’t been kind for the big man, this year and in the past, as the C’s need him to step up in this upcoming series

“I don’t think we played our best basketball,” Porzingis said. “We had some good moments overall, but we can play a lot better. Especially myself. That’s the feeling that I had from that series. It’s good that we got it done pretty quickly for guys to rest our bodies, myself included.”

Porzingis averaged 12.0 points and 5.8 rebounds against the Magic in five games, shooting 35.2% from the field and 11.8% on 3-pointers. There were some bright spots, like when he scored 20 points in Game 2 by getting to the free throw line. His best night was by far in Game 4 with 19 points as the shots finally went down, though he also battled foul trouble.

The Celtics need more than that from the big man — he knows it, too. The frustration was apparent throughout the series as Porzingis missed multiple shots he made in the regular season. Even when he was switched onto a smaller guard in the post, he struggled to convert them into baskets against the physicality. So that’s where he’ll look to be more efficient and effective coming up

“We have to expect a high level of physicality no matter who we play against because that’s the way to slow us down a bit,” Porzingis said. “I think we played a little bit, myself included, into their hands, Orlando a little bit. They slowed the game down, made it real muddy. How to combat is, that is more movement. Get off their bodies. Don’t let them slow you down as much. As the series went on, I think I did a better job of that, and that’s going to be experience that I’m going to take going forward.”

Porzingis averaged 24.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in two games against the Knicks this season, so he’s had success in a small sample size. He’s matched up well in the past, but the playoff stage is different, including the officiating allowing significantly more contact. Porzingis has scuffled with that in the past, so it’s about being effective even when things aren’t ideal.

The spotlight will be bright, obvious and full of criticism if Porzingis can’t get it done once again. The Celtics are heavy favorites, and they did get through the Magic series with the big man not being as effective. But if the C’s want to get where they want to — the 2025 title — they’ll need Porzingis to be at his best and make them whole.

“We have the experience,” Porzingis said. “Of course it’s going to be a big stage. Eastern Conference, it’s as big as a stage as it can be. It’s going to be fun. It’s just going to add more to the whole thing. New York fans are always great. Boston fans are always invested and there to support their team. Even between the fan bases, it’s going to be a war.”