Boston Celtics Break Silence on Kristsaps Porzingis' Strange Sickness: 'Super Weird' Symptoms Exposed

For weeks, speculation swirled around Kristaps Porzingis and the mysterious illness that derailed his postseason and left the Boston Celtics star a shadow of his usual self. Now, the Celtics have finally addressed the situation, providing clarity on what plagued their 7-foot-3 big man during a critical playoff run.

A Lingering Celtics Mystery Unveiled

Throughout the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Kristaps Porzingis was visibly hampered-his energy sapped, his minutes limited, and his impact diminished. He missed eight straight games in late February and early March due to an upper respiratory illness, but even after returning, he never fully regained his form. During the Celtics’ second-round series against the New York Knicks, Porzingis averaged just 4.2 points over six games, shooting a mere 24 percent from the floor. His playing time dwindled, and he often appeared exhausted after brief stints on the court.

Brad Stevens on Kristaps Porzingis' illness-plagued end of the season: “I don't think anybody was more frustrated than him... It was described to me [as] just post-viral syndrome, which is just lingering effects of a long illness." pic.twitter.com/jzwqPz1tdU

— Jack Simone (@JackSimoneNBA) May 19, 2025

The Celtics’ silence on the specifics of Kristaps Porzingis’ condition only fueled further speculation. Fans and analysts alike wondered whether the team was concealing a more serious problem. That changed on Monday, when team president Brad Stevens finally addressed the situation, revealing that Porzingis had been suffering from “post-viral syndrome”-the lingering aftereffects of a significant viral illness.

Kristaps Porzingis Symptoms and Struggles

Kristaps Porzingis himself described the ordeal as deeply frustrating. “My system is not perfect right now, not working the way it should be. Many, many weird things,” he told reporters after Boston’s elimination. He spoke of persistent fatigue, breathing difficulties, and a general sense that his body was not responding as it should. “I could just lay down over here and just take a little nap, easy, which is extremely weird, and many symptoms that were super weird”.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed the severity of Porzingis’ symptoms, noting after Game 5 that the big man “couldn’t breathe” and was only available in an emergency. Despite being cleared by team doctors-who ruled out any risk of serious complications-Porzingis’ stamina and effectiveness were clearly compromised.

Stevens expressed empathy for Porzingis, noting, “I don’t think anybody was more frustrated than him.” The expectation is that several weeks of rest will help the Latvian star recover fully. Porzingis is set to play for Latvia in EuroBasket later this summer, and the team is optimistic he will be back to full strength by then.

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For now, both Porzingis and the Celtics are hoping that time, rest, and a reset will finally put an end to a frustrating and mysterious chapter in his career.