Kristaps Porzingis sat the second half of the Boston Celtics’ 127-102 win over the New York Knicks in Game 5 after struggling to breathe.
“I mean (Porzingis) couldn’t breathe,” Joe Mazzulla said. “He was available if absolutely necessary. And so that (going to the bench) was just a decision between me and him.”
Porzingis has been battling a respiratory illness for the past three months.
Porzingis finished the game with one point on 0-3 shooting.
Luke Kornet played for Porzingis and finished with 10 points, nine rebounds, and seven blocks in the second half.