The Boston Celtics are facing a critical moment in their second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks — and the lingering illness affecting Kristaps Porziņģis looms large. After dominating offensively all season, Boston’s attack has sputtered, averaging just 99.5 points per 100 possessions in two losses despite holding sizable leads in both games.

Porziņģis, still battling the viral illness that sidelined him post-All-Star break, has played limited minutes and looked far from the high-efficiency, mismatch nightmare that helped Boston win the 2024 NBA title. He’s averaging just 4 points and 4 rebounds in 13.5 minutes through two games, clearly affected by fatigue and low energy.

“I’m not feeling my best at all,” Porziņģis said after Game 2. “But it just kills me inside that it’s happening in this moment.”

The Celtics badly need him back at full strength for Game 3 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. While Al Horford and the rest of Boston’s core have stepped up, the team has lacked easy scoring options — the kind Porziņģis was brought in to provide. With Tatum and Brown struggling from deep and the Knicks exploiting Boston’s lack of interior threat, every contribution from the 7-foot-3 center could be pivotal.

If Boston is to climb out of a 2-0 series hole, it may come down to whether their unicorn can find his form — or if the illness keeps him grounded at the worst possible time.