'I love my WWE moments': Bloodied star plays on as Celtics take 2-0 playoffs lead over Magic

As it became evident that Jayson Tatum would have to sit out game two of the first-round NBA playoff series against the Orlando Magic, two other stars from the Boston Celtics stood up to take control in the 109-100 victory.

Jaylen Brown finished with 36 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a classy display, but the game belonged to cult hero Kristaps Porzingis, who returned to the game after getting a bloody gash to the forehead and finished with 20 points.

In the third quarter, Porzingis went to the locker room with a gash to his forehead, but returned in time to shoot a pair of free throws after taking an elbow from Goga Bitadze.

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The play was reviewed and upgraded to a flagrant foul on Bitadze.

During the review, Porzingis emerged to a loud ovation, with dried blood streaking down the back of his head and a bandage on the center of his forehead. He re-entered the game and connected on one of his two free throws before exiting again.

He said he got five stitches to close the wound and was never going to sit on the bench.

“I love my WWE moments ... I always love engaging with the crowd,” Porzingis said.

“We’re not going to get let anybody punk us. We expect teams to do this kind of stuff.

"We’re not surprised. But we’re not going to take it. We’re going to hit them right back.

"Honestly, how could I not come back out - like, 'Oh, I have five stitches, I can't play anymore.' No. My legs work, everything works, and of course I'm going to be out there."

Boston took a 2-0 series lead while playing without Tatum, who has a bone bruise in his right wrist and missed a playoff game for the first time in his career.

The series continues on Saturday (AEST) in Orlando.