Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis disappoints in Game 2 loss

By Sean Keane | Last updated 4/24/24

After the Celtics lost to Miami in the playoffs, they traded for Kristaps Porzingis to help them deal with Bam Adebayo. He may have lost Game 2 for Boston.

One reason Miami was able to make a franchise-record 23 three-pointers was that Porzingis repeatedly got lost on defense. Yes, the Heat shot well, making 53 percent of their threes, but they often got wide open as the Celtics big man looked lost.

Bam screens for Tyler Herro here, Porzingis in a drop. A lot of help from Derrick White who almost looks like he's working to switch. Very easy kick to Caleb Martin for 3. pic.twitter.com/SnuOD3Xq79
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) April 25, 2024

He didn't make up for it with his offense, either. Porzingis shot 1-of-9 and didn't make a three-pointer. In his 30 minutes on the court, Boston was outscored by 32 points — in a game they lost by 10 points. It's one of the worst recent playoff performances by a Celtic.

Kristaps Porzingis joins this group of Celtics players to be a -32 or worse in a playoff game: pic.twitter.com/Mmnj28MHrz
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) April 25, 2024

Meanwhile, Adebayo scored 20 points on just 13 shots. Porzingis couldn't stop Adebayo's pick-and-roll with Tyler Herro.

GET UP BAM pic.twitter.com/GNww6YJiLn
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) April 25, 2024

Porizingis has been good in the playoffs before with Dallas, but he's also been quite bad. That volatility could be dangerous for a Celtics team that won 64 games with the NBA's No. 1 offense.

Boston could afford off nights for Porzingis in the regular season. In the playoffs, too many off nights could send the team home early.

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