Kristaps Porzingis showed resilience despite suffering an elbow injury during the Celtics' Game 2 victory over the Orlando Magic. After receiving five stitches from a collision with Goga Bitadze, he returned to the court, finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds. His determination to play through the pain highlighted his competitive spirit, especially with Jayson Tatum sidelined due to injury. The Celtics needed his contributions as they navigate the playoffs, and Porzingis responded well, drawing fouls and hitting free throws while also making defensive plays with two steals and blocks.

Boston's frontcourt depth has been tested, and Porzingis's ability to adapt to physical play will be crucial moving forward. As the playoffs heat up, he'll need to maintain this level of assertiveness and protect the rim effectively to keep the Celtics on track for a deep run.

Kristaps Porzingis showcased his toughness in the Celtics' 109-100 victory against Orlando, playing through a gash inflicted by Goga Bitadze that required stitches. This incident added to Porzingis' history of on-court injuries this month, yet he embraced the moment, stating he loves engaging with the crowd. The Celtics took a commanding 2-0 lead in their playoff series despite Jayson Tatum's absence due to injury. Jaylen Brown stepped up with 36 points and 10 rebounds, supporting Porzingis' near triple-double performance.

Joe Mazzulla applauded Porzingis for his resilience, and the Celtics remained poised against the Magic's physicality, with the Celtics’ collective effort making it clear they won’t be intimidated. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope attempted to rattle the Celtics, but his performance fell flat as he struggled with just three points. Porzingis affirmed their strategy to respond to provocation without losing composure, demonstrating the Celtics' focus on gameplay rather than getting drawn into physical altercations.

In a dramatic Game 2 against the Orlando Magic, Kristaps Porzingis of the Boston Celtics suffered a severe forehead gash after being elbowed by Goga Bitadze. The incident occurred late in the third quarter while Porzingis was attempting to secure a rebound. Despite the injury, he managed to return to the game with a bandage after receiving five stitches and contributed 20 points to the Celtics' lead in the series.

The Celtics were already missing star player Jayson Tatum due to an injury, making Porzingis's role even more crucial. Following the incident, Porzingis's gritty performance showcased the resilience of the Celtics as they prepared for Game 3.