Kristaps

Porzingis

Porzingis was excellent on both ends of the floor Tuesday night, recording a complete stat line to pick up the slack for absent stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. This was his fourth double-double of the season with at least 20 points, and he’s recorded at least three blocked shots in six games. The concern for fantasy managers is Porzingis’ availability, not his productivity. While Boston has two more games during Week 20, the second is part of a Sunday/Monday back-to-back.

In the Celtics’ lineup after an eight-game absence, Porzingis was under a minutes restriction on Saturday. However, he still logged 32 minutes in a much closer game than anticipated. The good news for the Celtics is that Porzingis’ conditioning appeared up to snuff, and he recorded an efficient stat line in Brooklyn. Boston will play three games during Week 20, starting with the Nets on Tuesday.

Porzingis is back after missing Boston’s last eight games with a viral illness. His playing time will be restricted, which may cap Porzingis’ fantasy ceiling. However, his floor remains relatively high, especially with Al Horford (toe) inactive.

Porzingis has missed the last eight games with an illness, but he was an active participant in shootaround Friday. Now he’s probable for Saturday’s game and seems likely to replace Al Horford (toe) in the starting lineup.

Friday’s game is the first of two in as many days for the Celtics, who face the Nets on Saturday. Porzingis will miss an eighth straight game as he recovers from a viral illness, meaning Al Horford will get another start as the starter. As for Brown, his absence means more opportunities for Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard. The latter offers a higher fantasy ceiling.

Porzingis, who has missed Boston’s last seven games with a viral illness, remains questionable for Friday’s game against the Heat. He was also present for shootaround ahead of Wednesday’s loss to the Thunder but did not play. Even if Porzingis is allowed to play against the Heat, fantasy managers should not be surprised if his playing time is restricted due to the time missed. Al Horford has been his replacement in the starting lineup.

Porzingis was at shootaround ahead of Wednesday’s game but wasn’t able to play through the illness, which was his seventh-straight absence. Al Horford would likely get another start if Porzingis remains out. Friday’s game is the first night of a back-to-back for Boston, and Joe Mazzulla could stagger the availability of his centers. The only chance Luke Kornet will have at moving into the starting unit is if both Porzingis and Horford are ruled out for a game. With Horford probable on Friday, Saturday’s game against the Nets will be a better opportunity for Kornet.

While Porzingis was at pregame shootaround Wednesday afternoon, he still is not at the point where he can return to game action. Al Horford will continue to start in Porzingis’ place, but he has struggled to provide the production expected of a standard-league player. Horford’s worth streaming in deep leagues, but 12-team managers may want to look elsewhere.

Porzingis announced on social media on Tuesday that he is dealing with “a viral illness” that the Celtics “haven’t been able to fully identify yet.” That isn’t a great sign, and there is a chance he misses a seventh-straight game when they take on OKC. Al Horford will be back after missing Boston’s last game and will likely start at center if Porzingis remains out.

Boston’s two best center options will both be unavailable, which means that Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta should both slide into larger roles. This will be a sixth-straight absence for Porzingis. Both Kornet and Queta started against the 76ers last Thursday, where both were fairly productive in increased roles.