BOSTON — Kristaps Porzingis put together one of his finest performances of the season against the Magic Friday night. Yet, his potential availability for the Celtics’ back-to-back matchup on Saturday against the Hawks may end up being the biggest story of the night.

Porzingis has yet to play in a back-to-back all season after returning from offseason leg surgery in November. He’s found his rhythm over the past week, posting an efficient 23 points in 23 minutes in Friday’s 121-94 blowout victory over Orlando.

When asked whether there was a possibility he could play on Saturday after the low minute night during a blowout, Porzingis was optimistic.

“I believe so,” Porzingis said. “But that’s a little bit out of my hands. I think tomorrow we’ll know more information.”

The Celtics will be without Al Horford for Saturday’s matchup as the big man has not played back-to-backs for the past two seasons. Porzingis has played some back-to-backs last year when healthy and he looks to be returning to form in this latest stretch. He’s played in seven straight games in January since returning from an ankle injury and has posted 20-plus points performances in three of his last five games.

“I think today was actually from a rhythm perspective a good game,” Porzingis said. “We were not shooting a crazy amount of 3s, but we were shooting the right ones. Immediately our percentages were up and we were (scoring) both in and out. And I think when we play like this, when we get downhill and create for each other and then we get the 3s, we have much more uplifting energy. When we just come down and we shoot it, if we make, OK, good. But if we miss, it can drain you a little bit. So tonight I think we had a good balanced basketball. And I think that’s when we’re the best.”

Ultimately, the decision will be taken out of Porzingis’ hands by the training staff. Amid a five games in seven night stretch, it would be wise for Boston to show caution with him amid a long regular season grid given his past durability issues.

With that said, the fact that suiting up on a back-to-back is even a possibility at this point is a good sign. The center has shown the ability to handle a heavier minutes load within a couple months of returning from a serious injury. His recent play is earning him plenty of accolades from his teammates.

“I think very early on KP made some tough baskets there in the paint, really getting those deep post up catches and finishing through contact,” Al Horford said. “I thought he was getting fouled there initially and he was still finishing and so that was really big for us.”

The Celtics will officially release their injury report around midday before Saturday’s game. If Porzingis is ruled out, he will be back in action for the team’s matchup against the Warriors in San Francisco on Monday afternoon.