Porzingis available, Hauser out with ankle sprain for Celtics’ Game 2 matchup with Knicks

BOSTON AP Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is available to play in Championship of Boston s Eastern Conference semifinal matchup with the New York Knicks Porzingis who didn t play in the second half of Boston s loss in Contest on Monday due to illness was upgraded from probable to available about a half-hour before Wednesday night s championship Reserve Sam Hauser will not play after spraining his ankle in the series opener But Porzingis will not start Battle Instead Boston will go with Al Horford at center alongside Jrue Holiday Derrick White Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown Porzingis was for in minutes of the first half in Tournament with four rebounds and an assist Hauser missed both of his shots in four minutes of action Coach Joe Mazzulla explained Porzingis has ongoing effects from an illness that sidelined him for a stretch of games late during the regular season