The Latvian center has missed a lot of time lately while dealing with what he recently revealed to be an unnamed viral infection, causing fans of the team to worry about whether this is simply a bad bug KP needs a little more time to recover from -- or something more serious that could jeopardize his health longer-term.

The Boston Celtics have had to play multiple games in a row without their starting center, but they might be close to getting him back.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said the Celtics are a “significantly” different team when Porzingis is not available — no other Boston big can replicate his combination of 3-point shooting and top-tier rim defense — but still a formidable foe because of their depth and versatility.

Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis was back at shootaround on Wednesday after recently dealing with an illness.

Feb 12, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0) during the second quarter at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images / Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics have been without Kristaps Porzingis for the last six games, including Monday night's win over the Utah Jazz, as the big man has been dealing what he described as a "viral illness" that the team hasn't "been able to fully identify yet.

Kristaps Porzingis said he's been dealing with a "viral illness" that has kept him off the court for weeks now.

Since the Boston Celtics traded for Kristaps Porzingis, the big man has missed a lot of games. He played just 57 games last season in his first year in Boston. This season, he has played just 32 games for the Celtics.

Kristaps Porzingis missed the Celtics' 118-112 loss to the Thunder on Wednesday night. Porzingis has missed seven of the last eight games with a non-COVID illness.