Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis has been listed as questionable for Game 3 of the NBA Finals due to a significant leg injury, raising concerns among fans and the team as they prepare to face the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.
kristaps Porzingis analyzes the Celtics’ second NBA Finals victory
When did Porzingis get injured?
Porzingis’ injury, described by the team as “rare,” involves a torn medial retinaculum, which allows for the dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg.
Porzingis’ condition was revealed on Tuesday, with the Celtics stating that his status would be assessed on a day-to-day basis.
Reflecting on his injury, Porzingis remarked, “It’s kind of a random situation. I felt something, and now I have to deal with it. As we said, yeah, it’s going to be day-to-day, and I’ll see how I am tomorrow. Obviously, I’m going to do everything I can to be out there tomorrow, and we’ll see.”
The injury occurred during the third quarter of Boston’sGame 2 victory.
Porzingis was seen wearing a sleeve and brace on his left leg during Tuesday’s practice, though he appeared to be moving without a limp.
The Greek center still has an optimistic outlook for the remainder of the series.
“I’ve been through some stuff in my career, and obviously this is a rough patch coming back and having something happen right away again. It’s tough … just a tough moment right now. But I’m feeling pretty good. Mind is good. We’ll see tomorrow,” he added.
Porzingis recently returned to the court for the Finals after missing over five weeks due to a calf strain.
His impact was immediately felt, contributing significantly in both Games 1 and 2.
The Celtics have benefited from his presence, boasting a plus-25 in the 44 minutes he’s played during the series.
What is Porzingis’ foot injury?
The injury to the medial retinaculum is rare, with few documented cases.
Jeff Stotts, an athletic trainer and injury analyst, explained on social media that this connective tissue anchors multiple structures in place, including the posterior tibialis tendon.
A tear can lead to pain and instability in the ankle and foot, posing a significant challenge for an athlete at Porzingis’ level.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized that any decision regarding Porzingis’ participation in Game 3 would be made by the team’s medical staff, not the player himself.
“It’s a serious injury. At the end of the day, our team and the medical team is not going to put him in any bad situations. We’ve taken the decision to play out of his hands. … 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,”Mazzulla stated.
Should Porzingis be unavailable or limited, the Celtics will lean more heavily on veteran Al Horford and potentially utilize backup centers Luke Kornet or Xavier Tillman.
As the Celtics aim for a commanding 3-0 series lead and inch closer to their 18th NBA title, the potential absence of Porzingis could significantly impact their strategy.
Game 3 of the NBA Finals will be played this Wednesday at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas at 8:30 pm ET.
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