Against all expectations, the Boston Celtics are now 0-2 down against the Knicks in the second round of the playoffs. Despite holding a 20-point lead in both games at home, the Celtics suffered similar fourth-quarter collapses, leaving them with a significant deficit as the series heads to New York.
Although the Celtics remain the stronger team and still have a chance to turn things around, the team must start thinking about their offseason plans, regardless of how the rest of this postseason unfolds. Their recent struggles have highlighted that they may not be as dominant as they appeared earlier in the 2024 playoffs, raising concerns about their long-term future.
One of the key offseason questions will be about top star. The All-Star center has been dealing with an illness in recent months, and the symptoms have affected him during the first two games of the series. This adds another layer of frustration for top star and puts the Celtics in a difficult position when it comes to their future roster decisions.
Boston always knew they would have to part ways with one of their key players due to financial constraints. While many expected that player to be Jrue Holiday, Porzingis’ injury and availability issues in consecutive postseasons could alter that plan. If Porzingis can’t stay healthy or contribute consistently, the Celtics may have to consider moving on from him this summer. His combination of shooting and rim protection is important to the team’s identity, but with one year left on his \$30.7 million contract for the 2025-26 season, he could attract interest from other teams looking to take a chance on his talent.