Latest update on Porzingis’ injury recovery ahead of NBA Finals originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Celtics are 9-1 this postseason since Kristaps Porzingis fell with a calf injury in Game 4 of the first round. But make no mistake: They will need their talented big man for the NBA Finals.
So what are the odds that Porzingis, who hasn’t played since April 29, will be ready to go on June 6 for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks or the Minnesota Timberwolves?
“There’s definitely hope. There’s definitely optimism,” The Athletic’s Shams Charania said Tuesday on FanDuel TV. Run it again sample of Porzingis’ potential return. “There are still some obstacles, I’m told, that he has to overcome before he can play in Game 1 of the Finals, but of course there is hope that next week and more will give him the time he needs to improve and prepare for the Game 1 next Thursday.”
“There is definitely optimism, there are still some obstacles, I’m told, that he has to overcome before he can play the first game of the finals.”@ShamsCharania with the latest on Kristaps Porzingis pic.twitter.com/X8mKeVdL4a
– Run it again (@RunItBackFDTV) May 28, 2024
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported last week that There was a chance Porzingis could return as early as Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.. However, the 7-foot-2 big man remained sidelined throughout the series, as Boston won Games 3 and 4 against the Pacers in Indiana to complete a serial sweep and give himself nine full days off before Game 1 next Thursday.
While Charania suggested Porzingis still has “hurdles” to overcome before being officially game-ready, Celtics guard Payton Pritchard shared an encouraging update on his teammate ahead of Game 4 that bodes well for for Porzingis to be on the court for Game 1.
“He looks great. I think he’ll be ready shortly,” Pritchard told NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin before Game 4 on Monday.
UPDATE (Wednesday, May 29): Porzingis shared a message in his native Latvian on X (formerly known as Twitter) suggesting he will be ready for the Finals.
Here is a rough translation of his post from Latvian to English:
“Thank you to everyone who supported and sympathized throughout the season. I will be back in line soon. See you in the final.”
Al Horford has stepped up on multiple occasions in Porzingis’ absence, most notably hitting seven three-pointers in game three as part of a historic performance. But if Dallas advances (the Mavs currently hold a 3-0 series lead), Porzingis’ presence would be instrumental in combating the dynamic young attacking duo of Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively.
If all goes well with Porzingis’ rehab, it appears Boston’s third-leading regular-season scorer is on track to be ready for Game 1 and have a potentially significant impact on the championship series.
