Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, right, battles for a rebound against New York Knicks guard Josh Hart, left, during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Monday, May 5, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) AP

With Kristaps Porzingis dealing with an illness, Al Horford has been slotted into the starting center position for the majority of the second-round series. However, with Tatum out in Game 5, Porzingis slid back into the starting lineup for the first time since Game 1.

The Boston Celtics forced a Game 6 with a dominant win over the New York Knicks, but they had to do so without their starting big man for most of the game.