Kristaps Porzingis didn’t hold back following the Boston Celtics’ 119-81 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 6, a defeat that eliminated the defending champions from the 2024-25 NBA Playoffs.
Speaking postgame at Madison Square Garden, Porzingis described the loss as an “extremely tough night” and admitted the Celtics “didn’t really have any good moments” to mount a comeback.
The veteran forward, who played only 11 minutes due to ongoing health issues, expressed deep frustration about being unable to contribute at full strength.
“Super, super frustrating — you know, as frustrating as you can imagine,” Porzingis said when asked about his physical limitations throughout the postseason.
He emphasized the internal struggle of wanting to help the team, especially in the absence of Jayson Tatum, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Game 4.
“It just hurts deep inside of here,” Porzingis said. “It really, really sucks in these moments.”
Porzingis revealed lingering health issues have affected him for months, noting unusual fatigue and symptoms that doctors have yet to fully diagnose.
“I could just lay down over here and just take a little nap, easy,” he told reporters. “Which is extremely weird.”
Despite the health concerns, the 29-year-old clarified that medical clearance allowed him to play without the risk of serious complications.
“There was no bigger risk,” Porzingis said. “They tested my heart, everything.”
As the Celtics head into an offseason with potential roster changes ahead, Porzingis reflected on his two years in Boston and the 2024 championship run.
“If you purely look from my own perspective, it’s been up and down,” he said. “But then the big objective that we were going for — we achieved it.”
He acknowledged the reality that the current roster may not remain intact but said he hadn’t yet processed that possibility.
“Right now we’re just digesting this loss, honestly,” he said.
Looking ahead, Porzingis plans to focus on restoring his health and preparing for international competition with Latvia in the EuroBasket 2025 later this summer.
“This summer I expect a nice bounce back for myself,” he said.
Porzingis also shared appreciation for the Knicks and their fans, calling the energy at MSG “unbelievable” and expressing admiration for New York’s playoff success.
“There’s a side of me that’s very, very happy for them,” he said. “They’ve done great things.”
The Knicks will now face the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, while the Celtics begin what could be a transformative offseason.
