The Boston Celtics were able to get through most of the playoffs last year without having Kristaps Porzingis on a full time workload, but that’s going to be easier said than done this time around.

Although Boston is 29-7 this season without him, they play a much different, but yet better, brand of basketball when Porzingis is available to them. He’s averaging 19.7 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and 1.6 blocks per game with 49/40/81 shooting splits.

Porzingis’ versatility on the court allows the Celtics to play any way they need/want to win the game. He’s the best rim protector and floor spacer on the team. He controls the post with attacking mismatches and taking advantage of every minute that he’s on the court.

The big question mark hovering Porzingis is his health. It’s been something that he’s dealt with his entire career and during his time with the Celtics over the last two seasons. Porzingis played in 57-games in the regular season last year but only played in seven games during the playoffs.

This season, Porzingis started the year on the injury report and missed the first month of the season. He’s only played 37-games, but it looks like he’s in a good rhythm physically and he’s starting to regain his health at the perfect time of the basketball year just ahead of the playoffs.

The Celtics have done everything right when it comes to managing Porzingis this season. He doesn’t play in back-to-back games and they’ve allowed him to recover at his own pace and in his own way.

Although Boston got through the playoffs and to the Finals without much of Porzingis last year, that’s not going to work this year. They need him to protect the rim and stretch the floor as the ultimate weapon that the Celtics have in their arsenal.

Boston needs Porzingis to win back-to-back championships.

Here’s other notes and takeaways from the week:

• Jaylen Brown shared an update on his knee injury, saying that this is a new type of injury for him and what the recovery process is for him, both physically and mentally.
• Rookie Baylor Scheierman continues to shine in his moments with the Celtics as he’s taking full advantage of his opportunity. Over the last 10-games, he’s averaging 5.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game with 45/45/75 shooting splits. Scheierman has gained the trust of his head coach Joe Mazzulla and it shows with how he’s been getting on the court in the first quarter. He is showing to be able to step in during the playoffs if he’s needed.
• Is Bill Chisholm going to be able to afford to buy the Celtics? A new report showed that Chisholm produced a smaller stake than the private equity firm did, which under the NBA rules, cannot happen in a purchase like this.
• Payton Pritchard eclipsed 1,000 points off the bench, becoming the fourth Celtic in franchise history to do so: Kevin McHale (3x), Ricky Davis, and Malcolm Brogdon.
• Boston still has an available roster spot that they’d likely try to fill before the end of the season ahead of the playoffs. The three likely candidates are going to be one of their three two-way players in JD Davison, Drew Peterson, and Miles Norris.

Boston’s next game is on Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs at 8:00 PM.

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Photo Credit: Barry Gossage, NBAE Getty Images