BOSTON (AP) — Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis didn’t play in the second half of Boston’s 108-105 overtime loss to the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals because of an illness. Porzingis wasn’t on the floor initially with the team Monday night as they warmed up prior to the start of the second half.

While he briefly appeared after halftime, he went back to the locker room, and the Celtics announced he was questionable to return to the game thanks to a non-COVID illness. He did not return and the Knicks overcame a 20-point deficit to win 118-115 in overtime.

On Monday night, the Boston Celtics kicked off their second-round playoff matchup against the New York Knicks. The winner of the series will advance to the conference finals. While the winner of Game 1 will not decide the series, it is still a crucial game for both teams to win.