Celtics Star Shrugs Off Stitches, Delivers Double-Double in Gritty Game 2 Win Over Magic
Kristaps Porzingis didn’t just leave Game 2 with a win—he left with five stitches and a moment that fired up Celtics Nation.
The 7-foot-3 big man took a brutal elbow from Orlando’s Goga Bitadze late in the third quarter, opening a bloody gash on his forehead. But instead of retreating, Porzingis grinned through the gore, soaking in the roars from the TD Garden crowd and later returning to the game like a true warrior.
His head coach, Joe Mazzulla, had a very on-brand reaction to the scene.
“I love watching him bleed on the court. I think it’s important,” Mazzulla told reporters. “He comes back in and does the job.”
And that’s exactly what Porzingis did.
With Jayson Tatum sidelined due to a wrist injury, Porzingis stepped up in a big way, dropping 20 points and pulling down 10 rebounds to notch his first playoff double-double since 2021. His toughness and performance helped Boston take a 2-0 lead in the series as the Celtics continue their quest to defend their NBA title.
Now, with the series heading to the Kia Center on Friday, the Celtics are eyeing a commanding 3-0 lead. And if the Magic ramp up the physicality, it’s clear that Porzingis—and his stitches—are more than ready for the fight.