Joe Mazzulla Had On-Brand Take On Kristaps Porzingis’ Bloody Scene

Kristaps Porzingis left TD Garden on Wednesday night with another Celtics playoff win under his belt, as well as five new stitches.

Porzingis was forced to have some medical work done on his forehead after he absorbed a Goga Bitadze elbow late in the third quarter of Boston’s Game 2 matchup with Orlando. The star big man immediately started gushing blood upon taking the harsh contact but kept a smile on his face as he was showered with cheers by Green Teamers.

Celtics fans weren’t the only ones who admired Porzingis staying locked in despite leaking blood. Head coach Joe Mazzulla, who embraces violence much more than the average person, unsurprisingly saw great value in the incident.

“I love watching him bleed on the court. I think it’s important,” Mazzulla told reporters, per MassLive. “He comes back in and does the job.”

Porzingis was among several Celtics who did their job and then some on a night when Jayson Tatum was unavailable due to a wrist injury. The 29-year-old logged 20 points and 10 rebounds to secure his first postseason double-double since the 2020-21 campaign.

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The reigning NBA champions now will try to take a commanding 3-0 series lead Friday when the best-of-seven series shifts to Kia Center. And if the desperate Magic up the physicality in Game 3 with their backs against the wall, Porzingis and company clearly will be ready to meet the moment.

Featured image via Winslow Townson/Imagn Images

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