Kristaps Porzingis, a key player for the Boston Celtics, will not be able to play in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks due to a rare tendon injury in his lower left leg. The injury occurred in the previous game, where he sustained the injury after bumping knees with Dallas center Dereck Lively II. Porzingis had missed 10 consecutive playoff games prior to returning for the NBA Finals due to a right calf strain, and helped the Celtics take a 2-0 series lead against his former team. Despite feeling something after the collision, he kept playing but left the game in the third quarter and only played a few minutes in the fourth.
The 7-foot-2 Latvian center has a tear in the tissue that holds tendons in place, which is unrelated to the calf strain he suffered earlier in the playoffs. Porzingis had been undergoing constant treatment and following medical advice to try to play, but ultimately the decision was taken out of his hands by the team’s coach. This will mark the first time that Porzingis will not be playing in Dallas since being traded by the Mavericks nearly 2 1/2 years ago. The 28-year-old player was once an All-Star for the New York Knicks before a torn ACL injury sidelined him for the 2018-19 season.
Porzingis was traded to Dallas in January 2019 in a deal involving multiple players and draft picks. He was then traded to Washington in February 2022 before landing in Boston as part of a three-team trade last summer. Even though the Wizards played against Dallas in January 2023, Porzingis was inactive after playing in most of the previous games for Washington. He also did not play for the Celtics when they visited Dallas in January, despite having a standout performance in Houston the night before.
The Celtics announced just before tipoff that Porzingis would not be able to play in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, citing the rare tendon injury as the reason for his absence. Despite his efforts to recover and get back on the court, his injury prevented him from participating in the crucial game against the Mavericks. Porzingis had made a significant impact in the series so far, helping the Celtics secure a 2-0 lead over his former team before being sidelined due to the injury sustained in the previous game.
The injury to Porzingis has raised concerns about his health and availability for future games in the series, as the Celtics will have to make adjustments in his absence. The team will rely on other players to step up and fill the void left by Porzingis, potentially changing the dynamics of the matchup against the Mavericks. Despite his absence, Porzingis remains committed to his recovery and doing whatever is necessary to return to the court as soon as possible, though his availability for the remainder of the series remains uncertain.
As the NBA Finals continue, the Celtics will need to regroup and adjust their game plan without the presence of Porzingis on the court. The team will look to capitalize on the momentum from their previous wins and maintain their lead in the series against the Mavericks. Porzingis’ absence will undoubtedly be felt, but the Celtics will need to rally together and find ways to overcome this setback in order to secure a victory in Game 3 and potentially close out the series with a championship win.
