Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis missed a majority of Boston's Game 1 against the Knicks due to a non-COVID illness.

Bitadze appeared to immediately apologize to Porzingis, who lay on the floor with blood gushing out of his head. Luke Kornet motioned for the Celtics' medical staff to check on Porzingis ...

Boston Celtics center Kristaps ... Per ESPN, a bandaged, bloodied, smiling Porzingis got a loud and proud ovation from fans at TD Garden after receiving medical attention in the locker room.

He was taken off to receive medical treatment and returned in the fourth quarter with a large plaster on his head. Porzingis scored 20 points and 10 rebounds for the second-seeded Celtics ...

The Boston Celtics took a commanding 2-0 series ... forcing a stoppage in play and prompting medical staff to rush to his aid. Porzingis was helped off the floor and taken to the locker room ...

One player whose injury status has been a question mark throughout his career is star big man Kristaps Porzingis. Naturally, at a media session, Celtics reporters asked him about his injury status.

The smile on Kristaps Porzingis’ face stood in stark ... Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.