Kristaps Porzingis didn’t just help the Celtics win Game 2 — he turned TD Garden into a spectacle.
The 7-foot-3 center suffered a forehead laceration after taking an elbow from Goga Bitadze in the third quarter of Boston’s 109-100 win over the Magic, a blow that required five stitches.
Porzingis, however, wasn’t fazed by the blood or the pain.
“No, honestly,” he said when asked if it felt worse than it looked. “Just a quick flash, a quick cut. I saw the blood right away, so I knew it was stitches for sure — but yeah, not too bad.”
The crowd erupted when he returned to shoot free throws and later checked back into the game.
“I love my WWE moments,” Porzingis told reporters postgame. “It just happens in the game, you know? I always love engaging with the crowd.”
Boston fans responded with thunderous applause, appreciating both his toughness and flair.
Jaylen Brown led the way for the Celtics with 36 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, taking charge in Jayson Tatum’s absence due to a right wrist bone bruise.
Seventeen of Brown’s points came in the fourth quarter, where he went 5-of-7 from three and helped seal the win.
Despite being tested physically — including a scuffle between Al Horford and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — the Celtics embraced the intensity.
“We’re not going to let anybody punk us,” Porzingis said. “We’re going to hit them right back.”
Porzingis added 20 points and 10 rebounds, playing through the aftermath of his injury with visible determination.
“I was just more aggressive,” he said of his performance. “I missed some shots, even free throws, but I stayed in attack mode.”
Boston shot 45 percent from the field, made 12 threes, and outscored Orlando 28-29 in the fourth quarter to maintain control.
Derrick White added 17 points, while Jrue Holiday chipped in with 11 points and six assists.
The Celtics also held a 46-34 edge on the glass and converted 25 of their 33 free-throw attempts.
Orlando was led by Paolo Banchero’s 32 points, with Franz Wagner scoring 25 and Wendell Carter Jr. contributing 16 and eight rebounds.
Porzingis said that after all the setbacks in his career, he now embraces every opportunity to play.
“When I have the actual moment to play basketball, I try to enjoy it to the fullest,” he said. “Especially playing here in Boston — it’s what I dreamed of.”
Game 3 is set for Friday in Orlando, where the Celtics will look to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
