Big man Kristaps Porzingis has missed each of the Boston Celtics ' last seven games due to an illness. In those games, the Celtics are 5-2. However, it is clear that they would much rather have the Latvian native healthy and available to play.

The upcoming matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated games of the season. Both teams are currently sitting in second place in their respective conferences,

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said the Celtics are a “significantly” different team when Porzingis is not available — no other Boston big can replicate his combination of 3-point shooting and top-tier rim defense — but still a formidable foe because of their depth and versatility.

Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis was back at shootaround on Wednesday after recently dealing with an illness.

That's nothing entirely new. Porzingis played only 57 games last year in Boston's march to an NBA championship, and has suited up in just 32 of the Celtics' 65 games this year. He has averaged 18.9 points and 6.8 rebounds, with 40.3% 3-point shooting, when healthy this year.

The Boston Celtics have had to play multiple games in a row without their starting center, but they might be close to getting him back.