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Boston saw the return of Kristaps Porzingis for Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Whether they see him for Game 3, and beyond, is in doubt
The Boston Celtics have all the momentum in the NBA Finals. They head to Dallas for Game 3 with the Mavericks on Wednesday night, holding a 2-0 lead in the series. While stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the way in Game 1, they received a lot of help in Game 2 as Jrue Holiday led Boston scorers with 26 points in Game 2, along with 18 from Derrick Brown.
However, that momentum just received a brutal blow.
The Celtics announced that Kristaps Porzingis, who returned for Game 1 after a calf injury and added 20 points in 21 minutes off the bench, is “day-to-day” with what the team is describing as a “rare” dislocated tendon:
Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla described the injury — which is again being described as “day-to-day” — as “serious.”
Joe Mazzulla says this is a “serious injury” and the Celtics’ medical team will make the decision about Kristaps Porzingis’ availability. “He’s doing anything and everything he can to be able to play,” Mazzulla said. https://t.co/bgl8lLCupi
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 11, 2024
According to the Boston head coach the decision regarding Porzingis’ availability will be made by their “medical team.”
Porzingis first suffered an injury this postseason in Game 4 of Boston’s opening-round series against the Miami Heat. Described as a right calf injury, Porzingis missed the rest of Boston’s games in the Eastern Conference playoffs, only returning for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Porzingis said he’s going to do everything he can to play in Game 3:
Kristaps Porzingis: “I will do everything I can to be out there tomorrow.”
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) June 11, 2024
After scoring 20 points in Game 1, Porzingis logged 23 minutes in Game 2, chipping in 12 points for Boston. Yet in the first half he tumbled awkwardly to the floor, and seemed hobbled over the rest of the game, as noted by Doris Burke during the contest.
Whether the Celtics see him again this series, however, seems in doubt.
