Kristaps Porzingis returned to the court after getting five stitches for a cut on his head, and he didn’t let the injury faze him. The Boston Celtics’ big man was hit with an elbow by Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze during a scramble for a rebound late in the third quarter. Porzingis didn’t stay down long; he converted two free throws and then headed to the locker room to get his wound treated.
A Tough Night
Porzingis came back on the court at 7:15 remaining in the fourth quarter to a standing ovation from the TD Garden crowd. He finished the game with 20 points and 10 rebounds in 34 minutes of play, helping the Celtics secure a 109-100 win in Game 2 of their playoff series. After the game, Porzingis joked about his injury, saying he wasn’t about to let a little blood stop him from playing.
“How could I not come back? Like, ‘Oh, I have five stitches, I can’t play anymore.’ No, my legs work, everything works, and of course, I’m going to be out there,” Porzingis said in the post-game press conference, still showing off his wound.
Bitadze’s Elbow Sparks Controversy
The incident sparked a lot of reaction on social media, with many fans and players criticizing Bitadze for his reckless behavior. The NBA reviewed the play and deemed it a flagrant foul, upholding the initial call on the court. Jaylen Brown praised Porzingis for his toughness, saying, “He went out there and fought; that’s what we want to see. Even with an injury, even with blood all over the place. I think this motivates KP.”
- Porzingis’ stats: 20 points, 10 rebounds, 34 minutes played
- Celtics’ lead at the start of the fourth quarter: 81-71
- Final score: Celtics 109, Magic 100
The Celtics now lead the series 2-0, and they’ll look to keep their momentum going in the next game. Porzingis’ performance was just one of the many highlights from the game, and his determination to play through injury is sure to be remembered for a long time.
Kristaps Porzingis on returning to the game after getting stitches:
“Honestly, how could I not come back out. Like, ‘Oh, I have five stitches, I can’t play anymore.’ No. My legs work, everything works, and of course I’m going to be out there. pic.twitter.com/V3RWPRAxlW
— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) April 24, 2025
“He lost his horn!” The Unicorn, Kristaps Porzingis, is back with a bandage after taking the elbow to the head pic.twitter.com/nB1NOrO3EP
— Danielle Hobeika (@DanielleHobeika) April 24, 2025
Porzingus got elbowed which resulted in a cut and he didnt even stay down as long as Lebron did
Idk how anybody could be a fan or even respect that 🤡 pic.twitter.com/dhBV3KwE56
— Thetruth (@Thetruth8240) April 24, 2025
Fans chanting “KP” as Kristaps Porzingis get the blood cleaned out of his hair before reentering the game pic.twitter.com/JoIEWoMRZf
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) April 24, 2025