Kristaps Porzingis likely to play in Game 2 after exiting Game 1 early

BOSTON — In March, an upper respiratory illness cost Kristaps Porzingis eight games.It sounds as if that problem hasn’t completely gone away for the former Knick.The 7-foot-2 center didn’t play in the second half of the Knicks’ come-from-behind Game 1 victory and was ineffective in 13 scoreless minutes in the opening half.

He is probable to play in Wednesday night’s Game 2 at TD Garden.“Since he came back, he’s kind of been dealing with it on and off.Fighting through it, working through it, doing the best that he can,” coach Joe Mazzulla said Tuesday.

“I think it was just too much for him in that game.… He had been working through it since he’s gotten back.

He’s done a great job of being available, it was just tough for him to continue [on Monday].”Since joining the Celtics, Porzingis had become a Knicks killer, averaging 22.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks while shooting a robust 50 percent from 3-point range in seven regular-season games.In the opening-round series against the Magic, Porzingis averaged 12.0 points and 5.8 rebounds, but shot only 11.8 percent from 3-point range.Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series.“Kristaps being out, I think definitely impacted our group,” backup center Al Horford said.“But ultimately, I just give the Knicks credit.

They were the better team.”It doesn’t sound as if Mitchell Robinson’s free-throw shooting woes and the Celtics intentionally fouling him is going to impact his playing time.Coach Tom Thibodeau highlighted the 7-footer’s overall impact despite going 3-of-10 at the charity stripe.He was a team-best plus-13 in 21 minutes.“I think just the strengths that he brings to the team, the rebounding aspect of it, the rim protection, the ability to switch,” Thibodeau said.

“His size is very important for us.And so, that’s what we’re trying to take advantage of.

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