Warriors up in arms over Perkins’ immobile legs

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis has not looked like himself throughout the playoffs. Porzingis was forced to leave Game 1 of the second round against the New York Knicks early due to an illness. Boston then brought Porzingis off the bench for Games 2 and 3 of the series.

This illness is believed to be related to the one that caused the Celtics center to miss several games in March. At that time, doctors were unable to determine exactly what it was that was plaguing Porzingis. Now, he’s had a flare up of similar issues since the start of the second round.

“It’s led to him having energy zaps and stamina ebbs and flows over the last couple of months, and he felt that he had actually turned the corner right as the playoffs started in mid-April,” ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania said about Porzingis. “But in his own words, he had a crash right before Game 1 of this series, and he’s tried a lot of different things to try to mitigate the side effects. I’m told he’s been receiving IVs, immune boosters.

“He’s even changed up his sleep patterns to try to get more rest. He’s essentially waking up every day, hoping and praying that he feels better.”

Porzingis was able to play 19 minutes in Boston’s Game 3 victory. He contributed 5 points, four rebounds, two assists and three blocks off the Celtics bench.

Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers are expected to make a decision on his next course of action with his left knee by the end of this week, sources tell Jake Fischer. Embiid has met with more than 10 doctors for counsel on how to deal with the ongoing discomfort and swelling in his knee. Embiid has already undergone multiple meniscus surgeries.

Embiid may not need to undergo a season-ending surgery at this time and continues to hope for a procedure that would allow him to return to his MVP form. But neither the Sixers’ own medial staff or external doctors have been able to identify a path for Embiid to get right.

If Embiid were to undergo a significant procedure, he not only would miss the remainder of the current season but could miss part of next season.

Further complicating the situation is that Embiid and the Sixers appear not to be fully on the same page. When ESPN’s Lisa Salters reported that Embiid told her he likely needs offseason surgery, sources say the news took the Sixers by surprise. The Sixers, however, continue to view Embiid as their franchise star. Embiid and the Sixers signed a three-year, $193 million extension in September that some around the league now believe to be untradeable.