Celtics’ Porzingis Nears Comeback Ahead of NBA Finals Showdown with Mavericks
The anticipation mounts as injured Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis edges closer to a potential return to the court ahead of the NBA Finals showdown against the Dallas Mavericks.
Since sustaining a strained left calf in Game 4 of Boston’s first-round playoff series against Miami on April 29, the 7-foot-tall Porzingis has been sidelined. However, the Celtics’ dominant performances, securing victories in the second round against Miami and Cleveland with a 4-1 scoreline, followed by a 4-0 sweep of Indiana in the Eastern Conference finals, have afforded the Latvian ample recovery time.
Despite compiling an impressive 9-1 record without Porzingis during this postseason, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla refrains from making definitive predictions regarding his return but acknowledges the team’s enhanced capabilities with the skilled big man in the lineup.
Porzingis, who last publicly addressed his injury on May 4, emphasizing the need for recovery time, has maintained a day-to-day status as he embarked on rehabilitation efforts to potentially face his former team, the Mavericks, whom he played for from 2019-2022.
In a significant update shared on social media platform X, Porzingis expressed confidence in his imminent return, stating, “I’ll be back in the lineup very soon. See you in the finals.”
Recent on-court activities further signal Porzingis’ progress. He engaged in extended 3-point shooting drills with coaches and trainers, sporting a compression sleeve on his injured leg. Subsequently, Porzingis participated in light 5-on-5 play during practice, marking his most extensive workout since sustaining the injury.
Coach Mazzulla affirmed Porzingis’ full participation in Saturday’s practice session, with expectations for a more intense workout on Sunday, suggesting promising prospects for his return.
A cornerstone of the Celtics’ lineup, Porzingis boasts impressive statistics, averaging 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks during the regular season, appearing in 57 games. Despite his injury in the Miami series, he maintained solid averages of 14.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks.
Throughout the season, Porzingis battled various injuries, resulting in 25 missed games, during which Boston posted a commendable 21-4 record.
Teammates Derrick White and Jrue Holiday highlight Porzingis’ defensive prowess, emphasizing his ability to disrupt opponents’ plays and provide a formidable presence in the paint. They express eagerness for his return, confident in the team’s ability to seamlessly reintegrate him into the lineup.
As the Celtics gear up for the NBA Finals, the potential return of Kristaps Porzingis adds another dimension to their formidable roster, heightening anticipation for an intense showdown against the Mavericks.
