Celtics Keep Al Horford Starting Over Returning Porzingis

Celtics Keep Al Horford Starting Over Returning Porzingis \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Despite Kristaps Porzingis being cleared to play, the Boston Celtics will start Al Horford in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Porzingis has been recovering from illness and played limited minutes in the series. Coach Joe Mazzulla says the plan is to monitor how Porzingis feels during the game.

Quick Looks

• Al Horford will remain the starting center in Game 3.
• Kristaps Porzingis is available but will come off the bench.
• Porzingis missed significant time due to an illness this season.
• He played limited minutes in Games 1 and 2 vs. Knicks.
• Horford has also struggled, hitting just 1 of 10 from three.
• Coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized flexibility based on Porzingis’ condition.

Deep Look

As the Boston Celtics gear up for a pivotal Game 3 in their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the New York Knicks, head coach Joe Mazzulla has made a decision that underscores both strategy and caution: Al Horford will remain in the starting lineup at center, despite Kristaps Porzingis being available to play.

Porzingis’ return comes after a frustrating bout with illness that has severely limited his impact during the playoffs. While cleared to suit up for Saturday’s game, his role is expected to be minimal or situational at best, based on how he feels during live action. Mazzulla indicated that Porzingis will “give it a go” and see how his body responds. It’s a move that reflects not only a concern for his long-term health but also the importance of maintaining stability during a critical stretch of the postseason.

Porzingis, who began his NBA career with the Knicks, missed the entire second half of Game 1 due to his condition and logged only 14 minutes off the bench in Game 2. His impact was negligible, and he clearly wasn’t at full strength. This isn’t the first time his availability has been compromised this season. Earlier in the second half of the regular season, Porzingis missed eight games as an upper respiratory illness developed into a more prolonged health concern. Although the team has not directly linked his current playoff limitations to that illness, the timeline and symptoms suggest it may still be affecting his performance.

In contrast, Al Horford has been a mainstay in the Celtics’ rotation. At 37 years old, the veteran big man has earned a reputation as a steady presence in high-pressure games. However, in this series, his production has been far from inspiring. Through the first two games against the Knicks, Horford has shot a dismal 4-of-17 from the field and connected on just 1 of his 10 three-point attempts. Known for his floor-spacing and smart positional defense, Horford’s inability to contribute offensively has placed additional scoring pressure on Boston’s stars — Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White.

Yet, despite Horford’s recent struggles, Mazzulla’s decision to stick with him in the starting five isn’t entirely surprising. Continuity plays a vital role in playoff basketball, especially when chemistry and communication on defense are paramount. Horford brings experience and a level of trust that is hard to replicate. His understanding of the Celtics’ defensive schemes and willingness to do the unglamorous work in the paint are valuable assets — even if his shot isn’t falling.

Still, Boston’s inability to capitalize on home-court advantage in the first two games has sparked concern. Dropping both games at TD Garden has put the Celtics in a 0-2 hole — a daunting position against a Knicks team that thrives on physical play, rebounding dominance, and aggressive perimeter defense. The absence of a fully healthy Porzingis has undoubtedly hurt Boston’s spacing and rim protection, areas where he typically excels.

When healthy, Porzingis is a legitimate difference-maker. His unique combination of size, shooting touch, and shot-blocking ability provides Boston with a dynamic two-way presence that few teams can match. He stretches defenses with his perimeter shooting and offers an elite shot deterrent around the rim. But trusting him to return to form too quickly after illness could risk re-aggravation — something the Celtics are clearly wary of.

Game 3 now becomes a measuring stick not just for the series, but for Boston’s overall resilience. Can Horford rediscover his touch and offer the kind of veteran performance that has defined much of his playoff career? Can Porzingis contribute meaningful minutes off the bench and gradually ramp up his involvement? These are the questions that will shape both the Celtics’ short-term strategy and their long-term hopes of a deep postseason run.

From a broader lens, the situation highlights a recurring theme in the NBA playoffs: health, timing, and chemistry often matter just as much as talent. Even with a loaded roster, Boston finds itself juggling uncertainty in the most critical positions. The margin for error against a surging Knicks squad is slim, and lineup decisions carry added weight when a series hangs in the balance.

Mazzulla’s cautious yet calculated choice to keep Horford as the starter reflects the complex reality coaches face during the postseason. It’s not just about who’s better on paper — it’s about who’s ready, who fits the current strategy, and who can be relied on when the game gets tight.

If Porzingis is able to regain his rhythm in Game 3 and beyond, it could change the complexion of the series and give Boston the interior advantage they’ve lacked so far. Until then, Horford will shoulder the starting responsibility, hoping to prove that experience and grit can still win the day in the playoffs.

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