Kristaps Porzingis didn’t let a serious gash to his forehead stop him from playing in the Celtics’ 109-100 Game 2 win over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. After taking an elbow from Goga Bitadze in the third quarter, Porzingis was left with a bloody wound on his forehead and briefly left the game to get stitches. However, the 7-foot-2 center was determined to return to the action.
“How can I not come back? ‘Oh, I have five stitches, I can’t play anymore?’ My legs are working. Of course I’m going back to be out there,” Porzingis said, reflecting his tough mentality. He came back, shot free throws, and re-entered the game in the final minutes.
Porzingis finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds in 34 minutes. His return to the court was met with loud cheers from the TD Garden crowd. Jaylen Brown, who added 36 points and 10 rebounds, praised his teammate’s toughness: “He came out and competed… even through injury, even through blood everywhere. I think that fires KP up.”
The injury occurred when Porzingis and Bitadze collided for a rebound, with Bitadze receiving a flagrant foul for his actions. Despite the setback, Porzingis’ resilience played a key role in Boston holding onto their lead and securing the win.
