Kristaps Porziņģis hasn’t played a game in Dallas since the Mavericks traded him two years ago, and now it is uncertain if he will play there in Game 3 of the NBA finals for the Boston Celtics.
Porziņģis has a rare tendon injury in his lower left leg, which occurred in the third quarter of Boston’s 105-98 victory for a 2-0 series lead. The team said on Tuesday that he was day-to-day, and Porziņģis said he will do everything he can to play Wednesday night.
Asked if it was a pain-tolerance problem or if he could do more damage, Porziņģis said he didn’t know the specifics.
Quick Guide
NBA finals 2024
Show
Schedule
Best-of-seven series. All times US eastern time (EDT).
Thu 6 Jun Game 1: Celtics 107, Mavericks 89
Sun 9 Jun Game 2: Celtics 105, Mavericks 98
Wed 12 Jun Game 3: Celtics 106, Mavericks 99
Fri 14 Jun Game 4: Celtics at Mavericks (8.30pm, ABC)
Mon 17 Jun Game 5: Mavericks at Celtics (8.30pm, ABC)*
Thu 20 Jun Game 6: Celtics at Mavericks (8.30pm, ABC)*
Sun 23 Jun Game 7: Mavericks at Celtics (8.pm, ABC)*
*if necessary
“That’s something I’ll leave in the medical staff’s hands to determine whether I can go or not,” he said. “Nothing is going to stop me unless I’m told I’m not to, or not allowed to play. That’s the only reason I would not be out there.”
The 7ft 2inch Latvian center has a tear in tissue that holds tendons in place. The Celtics said it was unrelated to the right calf strain that sidelined him for 10 consecutive playoff games before he returned last Thursday for the start of the NBA finals.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla described it as a “serious injury” and said the team wouldn’t put Porzingis in any bad situations. Porziņģis is listed as questionable.
“We’ve taken the decision to play out of his hands because the importance of him,” Mazzulla said. “He’s going to do everything he can to play. We’re going to leave it up to our medical team. That’s really it.”
Porziņģis was wearing slides instead of sneakers when he spoke with reporters before practice. He walked with a slight limp and had a black sleeve covering his lower left leg on the off day.
Without elaborating, he said he was having treatment all day and doing whatever the medical staff told him. He wasn’t on the court for the open portion of practice.
“I can’t trick them into allowing me to play,” he said.
Porziņģis said he felt something after bumping knees Sunday night with Dallas center Dereck Lively II but kept playing. He left the game in the final minute of the third quarter and played only about three minutes in the fourth.
After the game, Porziņģis downplayed any injury concern, saying he was optimistic and would “die out there if we need.”
In his return during Game 1, his first career game beyond the first round, Porziņģis jump-started the Celtics with 11 points and two blocks in the first quarter of the 107-89 win while finishing with 20 points, three blocks and six rebounds. He scored 12 points in 23 minutes of Game 2.
“We’re just so much of a better team when we have him. 7-4 unicorn, right? He’s as talented as they come,” Celtics forward Jayson Tatum said.