Kristaps Prozingis says he is close to recovering from mystery illness

Boston Celtics have won five straight games and are currently sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference, but they have been without one of the key pieces to last year’s title run for the last couple weeks.

C’s center has missed six games

Kristaps Porzingis says he is close to returning to full strength, but has been dealing with an illness that has yet to be diagnosed. “I have been dealing with some viral illness that we have’t been able to fully identify yet,” said Porzingis on his X account during the Celtics win over the Utah Jazz on Monday night.

He has been out since February 26th, and the team initially said that their big man was out with a non-COVID illness. Since then team doctors have yet to pin point the illness that has kept him out for six straight games. “I am recovering, and getting better. But still working my way back to full (strength) to help this team. Thanks for the support and (I’m) hoping for a healthy return soon” said Porzingis.

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The Latvian stretch five is having another productive season for the Celtics in his second year in Boston. He is posting 18.9 points a game, with 6.8 rebounds but has only played in 32 games this season after sitting out the first month of the regular season while recovering from surgery on his ankle in the offseason.

His absence hasn’t stopped Boston from positioning themselves for a repeat run to the NBA Finals. They are currently 2nd in the Eastern Conference and have won 15 of their last 18 games. Their top priority will be to keep their stars healthy heading into the postseason, so they won’t rush Porzingis back to the floor before he is ready.