Celtics downgrade Kristaps Porzingis, start newcomer in surprise lineup decision
The Celtics thin frontcourt got even thinner just before tipoff Tuesday night in Toronto.
After already ruling out big men Al Horford (toe) and Luke Kornet (personal reason), Boston downgraded Kristaps Porzingis to doubtful with an illness minutes before taking the court at Scotiabank Arena.
Porzingis was removed from the starting lineup and was not on the bench to begin the game. His replacement in the starting lineup? Not Neemias Queta, who typically is the fourth man on the depth chart behind Porzingis, Horford and Kornet. Queta was available after sitting out Sunday’s win over the New York Knicks with an illness, but head coach Joe Mazzulla chose to use him as a reserve.
Instead, Mazzulla plugged an unexpected player into Porzingis’ spot: veteran wing Torrey Craig. Craig, who signed with Boston in early February, slotted in at center in his first start as a Celtic. He joined Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Sam Hauser in a super-small starting five.
That’s an unfamiliar spot for the 34-year-old. According to Basketball-Reference’s position estimate, Craig had played just 1% of his 8,731 career minutes at the five entering Tuesday’s game. He won the opening tip, however, and played the first 5:34 before Queta checked in for the first time.
Craig came off the bench in his first two Celtics appearances, tallying six points, one assist and one block in a win over the San Antonio Spurs and three blocks, two rebounds and one assist in a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. He was a healthy DNP against the Knicks with Boston’s full core rotation available.
The Celtics also were without starting guard Jrue Holiday, who sat out for rest purposes on the first night of a back-to-back. Toronto’s list of DNPs included center Jakob Poeltl and wing Brandon Ingram.
Copyright © 2025 MediaNews Group
Celtics downgrade Kristaps Porzingis, start…
SPORTSNBA
Most Popular
MORE IN SPORTS
Massachusetts State Police officer files 27 reasons for clocking $350K in overtime
Uber driver in Boston accused of raping drunk passenger in vehicle: ‘Deeply disturbing’
Boston University faces $5 million class action lawsuit for reportedly paying employees late
Dogging DOGE: Mass AG Andrea Campbell has emerged as one of Donald Trump’s most persistent foes
City Council hearing on Trust Act upcoming as Congress, feds takes aim at Boston’s sanctuary city status
Pro soccer group got early jump on Boston’s controversial White Stadium deal, public records show
Battenfeld: Muggings, robbery reign in heart of ‘safest city’ in America
Red Sox second base contender stands out in 6-1 loss to Braves
Howie Carr: Maura Healey’s tax hike on every prescription to support illegal immigrants on welfare
Chronic border crosser arrested by ICE Boston; Brazilian charged with rape in Falmouth faces deportation
Mike Vrabel outlines Patriots’ ‘aggressive’ approach in free agency
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel hints at having final say over personnel
SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE
Tuesday’s high school state tournament scores
Brody Kabilian nets hat trick, fuels Archbishop Williams past Needham
Celtics’ Porzingis downgraded to out vs. Raptors with ‘non-COVID illness’
Kristaps Porzingis was a late addition to the Boston Celtics’ injury report, again.
The former NBA All-Star was ruled out with a ‘non-COVID illness’ after the game had already tipped off against the Toronto Raptors, the team announced.
Porzingis has been scratched twice lately with an illness, the first coming on Jan. 22 and the most recent coming Feb. 8, the Celtics won both of those contests.
The 29-year-old put up 15 points, seven rebounds and two assists in Boston’s 118-105 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday.
Porzingis is averaging 19.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game with the Celtics, as they currently sit second in the Eastern Conference.
Boston is 9-1 in their last ten games, and will round out a quick two-game road trip against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.
COMMENTS
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.
The following is a list of the most commented articles in the last 7 days.
Loading
