NBA
Kristaps Porzingis injury update: when will he return to the Boston Celtics?
Coach Joe Mazzulla has given an update on Kristaps Porzingis’ physical condition ahead of Game 1 against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Boston Celtics have been missing Kristaps Porzingis since he suffered a right calf strain in the first-round series against the Miami Heat. The power forward was a key three-point shooter for the Celtics during the regular season and the good news for Celtics fans is that he could be very close to returning for the start of the NBA Finals, which start on Thursday, June 6.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla revealed that Porzingis is making good progress after four weeks of being sidelined.
“He’s improving,” Mazzulla told reporters. “He’s out there practicing. He did a couple of drills. So, he’s progressing well and I’m confident in where he is right now.”
“I’m confident in where he is,” Mazzulla added when asked about the possibility of Porzingis playing in Game 1.
Porzingis is already taking part in Celtics practices and, according to his recovery progress, is expected to be ready for Game 1 at home in the TD Garden.
The first game of the NBA Finals takes place this Thursday, June 6 at 8:30 p.m. (ET) / 5:30 p.m. (PT).
Kristaps Porzingis’ stats speak for themselves
Standing at 7 feet 2 inches (2.18 meters), it’s all too easy to think of the Latvian as a typical power forward, dominant around the basket but limited by lack of movement. However, that’s not the case with Porzingis.
He combines defensive prowess with surprising fluidity and offensive efficiency from long distance, making him very difficult to defend one-on-one.
Throughout the 2023/24 season, Porzingis averaged 20.1 points per game, contributing 7.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists. He holds the NBA record for the most three-point attempts in a single game by a player 7 feet 2 inches or taller, with 19 attempts while playing for the New York Knicks in 2018.
In his debut season in 2016, Kevin Durant praised Porzingis’ unique combination of talents, describing him as a ‘unicorn’: “He can shoot, he can make the right plays, he can defend, he’s a 7-footer who can shoot from the three-point line… That’s rare. And blocking shots, that’s like a unicorn in this league.”