Celtics Center Kristaps Porzingis Cleared to Play in Crucial Game 5 of NBA Finals Against Mavericks

Kristaps Porzingis is set to return to action as the Boston Celtics aim to secure the NBA Championship against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 on Monday night.

“We expect to see him tonight,” stated coach Joe Mazzulla.

Porzingis has been sidelined for the previous two games due to a dislocated tendon in his left ankle. According to Mazzulla, Porzingis will not be under a minutes restriction.

Although Porzingis was cleared to play a limited role in Game 4, he remained on the bench during Boston’s 122-84 defeat in Dallas. He had been listed as questionable on Monday morning but participated in an on-court workout approximately 2 1/2 hours before tipoff. This session included shooting, light-contact post work, and lateral movement drills.

The Celtics clarified that the tendon issue is unrelated to the calf strain Porzingis sustained on April 29 during the first-round series against Miami, which caused him to miss 10 games.

In his first six games this postseason, Porzingis has averaged 13.5 points and 5.0 rebounds. Notably, he contributed 20 points, six rebounds, and three blocked shots in Game 1 against Dallas.