Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Medical staff remaining patient
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The Celtics are targeting a December return for Porzingis (foot), but the team plans to remain patient and not rush the big man back to the court, Shams Charania of ESPN said Tuesday during his appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show."
Porzingis underwent foot surgery in June and was given an estimated 5-to-6-month recovery timeline. He hasn't progressed to contact work yet, but he was spotted going through a light shooting workout ahead of Monday's win over the Bucks. The Celtics have four convincing wins to start the season, including double-digit victories over the Bucks and Knicks, so Porzingis and the medical staff will likely remain cautious, even once the Latvian sharpshooter is cleared for game action.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Making good progress
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President of basketball operations Brad Stevens said Tuesday that Porzingis (foot) is making good progress since his foot surgery in June, Jared Weiss of The Athletic reports.
Stevens did not provide an updated timetable for Porzingis, but he said he's been surprised by how quickly he's improving. The Celtics originally gave Porzingis a 5-to-6-month timetable, and the center told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne that he's expecting to return in December. Currently, the big man is limited to jogging and light on-court work with minimal contact, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com. With Porzingis trending in the right direction, he'll offer plenty of appeal as a stash pick in fantasy drafts.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Undergoes foot surgery
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The Celtics announced Thursday that Porzingis recently underwent successful foot surgery and is expected to return to play in 5-6 months, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.
Porzingis dealt with a lower left leg injury during the playoffs, and offseason surgery was expected. He underwent a procedure to repair a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon and will likely be forced to miss the start of the regular season in the 2024-25 campaign.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Could miss start of season
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Speaking on the Russillo Podcast, Celtics President Brad Stevens said Wednesday that Porzingis (leg) could miss the start of the 2024-25 season.
Stevens was pretty vague with his comments, to be fair, and an official timetable won't be known until Porzingis undergoes his procedure in the coming days. Stevens mentioned that Porzingis' potential absence opens the door for the Celtics to be creative at the start of the season with their rotations. For now, it sounds like the franchise is planning for this to be a lengthy recovery process.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Will sit out Olympics
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The Celtics announced Tuesday that Porzingis (leg) will undergo surgery in the coming days, which will force him to miss the Olympics with Latvia.
Surgery was inevitable, but Porzingis hoped to delay it until after the Olympics. More clarity on a timeline for the recovery process likely won't be known until after the procedure. He's coming off a terrific season with the Celtics, posting averages of 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.9 three-pointers in the regular season.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Will undergo offseason surgery
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Porzingis said Monday after the Celtics' title-clinching 106-88 win over the Mavericks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals that he'll undergo offseason surgery to address his left leg injury, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.
In Game 2 of the Finals, Porzingis suffered a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon, a rare injury that carried an uncertain recovery timeline. After not playing in Games 3 and 4, Porzingis returned for Game 5 and handled a limited role, playing 16 minutes off the bench while contributing five points (2-4 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and one rebound. The Latvian big man said the offseason surgery will require a "few months" of recovery, so his status will be worth monitoring when training camp begins in late September or early October. Porzingis previously missed over five weeks of action earlier in the postseason due to a strained right calf.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Coming off bench in Game 5
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Porzingis (lower leg) will come off the bench for Monday's Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Mavericks.
Porzingis will again come off the bench for the Celtics, as he did in the first two NBA Finals games. In those two contests, Porzingis accumulated 32 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and an assist while shooting 12-for-20 from the field. Prior to Game 5, head coach Joe Mazzulla said Porzingis will not have any restrictions after sitting out the last two games due to a left posterior tibialis dislocation, but Al Horford will remain in the starting lineup Monday.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Expected to play in Game 5
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Coach Joe Mazzulla said to expect Porzingis (lower leg) to play in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against Dallas on Monday, Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Porzingis was ruled out ahead of Game 3 after suffering a left posterior tibialis dislocation in the third quarter of Game 2. He got the green light for Game 4 but didn't see any playing time during the blowout loss. However, with the Celtics looking to close out the series at home, Porzingis won't have any restrictions, though it remains unclear if he'll be in the starting lineup. In Game 1, his first appearance after a 10-game absence due to a calf injury, Porzingis scored 20 points (8-13 FG) and blocked three shots in 21 minutes.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Questionable for Game 5
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Porzingis (lower leg) is questionable for Monday's Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Mavericks, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.
Porzingis is in jeopardy of missing his third consecutive game with a left posterior tibialis dislocation. The big man played in the first two games of the NBA Finals, accumulating 32 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and an assist while shooting 12-for-20 from the field. Prior to Game 4, head coach Joe Mazzulla said that Porzingis is not 100 percent and he will only play if the Celtics desperately need him, which may not end up being the case with the team still holding a 3-1 series lead heading into Game 5 at home. If Porzingis remains sidelined, Al Horford and Xavier Tillman will continue seeing increased playing time.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Available to play
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Porzingis (lower leg) is available to play in Game 4 of the NBA Finals against Dallas on Friday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
After missing Game 3 with a left posterior tibialis dislocation, Porzingis was able to warm up without any setbacks and will play through his questionable tag Friday evening. However, coach Joe Mazulla admitted that Porzingis isn't close to 100 percent and that the Celtics will use him sparingly and only if necessary.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Warming up Friday
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Porzingis (lower leg) was out on the court warming up ahead of Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks on Friday.
Porzingis is still officially listed as questionable after missing Game 3 with a left posterior tibialis dislocation. While an official determination of Porzingis' status will likely be made closer to tipoff at 8:30 ET, he seems to be moving well, which bodes well for his availability moving forward in the series.
Porzingis (lower leg) is listed as questionable for Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday, Jared Weiss of The Athletic reports.
Porzingis is in danger of missing his second straight contest Friday after sitting out Game 3 with a left posterior tibialis dislocation. However, Porzingis was seen going through shootaround Thursday, and it is a good sign that Boston hasn't ruled him out for the series. If Porzingis remains sidelined, Al Horford and Xavier Tillman will likely continue to receive increased playing time.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Goes through shootaround
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Porzingis (lower leg) was seen shooting around during Thursday's practice, Jay King of The Athletic reports.
The Celtics have yet to release an official injury report for Game 4 on Friday after Porzingis missed Game 3 with a left posterior tibialis dislocation. While it's still unclear if the 28-year-old big man will be able to suit up, it seems as though he will have at least a chance of playing again in the NBA Finals. If Porzingis is ultimately deemed available, he will likely continue to serve as Boston's backup center behind Al Horford.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Hopes to play in Game 4
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Coach Joe Mazzula said Thursday that Porzingis (lower leg) is getting better and "fighting hard" to play in Game 4 on Friday, Jay King of The Athletic reports.
Porzingis didn't play in Game 3 due to a left posterior tibialis dislocation and is in danger of missing the remainder of the NBA Finals. However, if Porzingis is able to suit up, he will provide a big boost to Boston's frontcourt, as he averaged 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 22.0 minutes across the first two games of the series.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Could miss rest of Finals
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The Celtics have "real doubt" that Porzingis (lower leg) will be able to return to action at any point during the NBA Finals matchup against the Mavericks, Adrian Wojnarowski reported prior to Wednesday's Game 3 on ESPN's NBA Countdown.
Porzingis was initially labeled questionable for Wednesday's game due to a left posterior tibialis dislocation but wasn't cleared by the Celtics' medical staff ahead of the contest. The 28-year-old voiced his willingness to do whatever it took to play leading up to Wednesday's tilt, but he may not be medically cleared to suit up before the series ends. Porzingis had missed 10 straight games before the NBA Finals with a calf strain that's unrelated to his lower leg injury, but he was a key contributor off the bench in the Celtics' Games 1 and 2 wins. Al Horford should continue to start at center while Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman and Oshae Brissett are candidates to see action behind Horford. Porzingis should be viewed as questionable, at best, leading up to Friday's Game 4.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Ruled out for Game 3
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Porzingis has been ruled out for Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks on Wednesday due to a left posterior tibialis dislocation.
Porzingis played through the pain for a couple of minutes after suffering the injury during the third quarter of Game 2 on Sunday and was doing everything he could to suit up for Game 3, but the medical staff is shutting him down for at least one game. When Porzingis was sidelined earlier in the postseason, Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman and Oshae Brissett were part of the rotation at times. However, Al Horford will continue to start at center and should be the biggest beneficiary of Porzingis' absence. Porzingis can be considered day-to-day ahead of Friday's Game 4 in Dallas.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Questionable for Game 3
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Porzingis (lower leg) is questionable for Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Mavericks on Wednesday, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Porzingis was seen walking around with a sleeve on his left ankle during media availability but seemed to be in good spirits, as he has stated he will do everything he can to play in Game 3, Malika Andrews of ESPN.com reports. While the 28-year-old has told reporters he wants to play, it is ultimately up to the Celtics' medical staff to determine whether or not Porzingis will be cleared in time for Wednesday after suffering a torn medial retinaculum in the third quarter of Game 2. Porzingis has missed 10 games this postseason due to an unrelated right calf strain, accumulating 32 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and an assist while shooting 12-for-20 from the field across two games since his return. For now, there is no indication Porzingis will be ruled out for Game 3, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Considered day-to-day
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The Celtics announced Tuesday that Porzingis suffered a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg during the third quarter of Boston's 105-98 win over Dallas in the NBA Finals on Sunday, Marc D'Amico of the team's official site reports. Porzingis is considered day-to-day ahead of Wednesday's Game 3.
The injury Porzingis suffered in Game 2 is unrelated to the calf strain that kept him out for 10 straight postseason games before he returned for the opening game of the NBA Finals. However, his availability for Game 3 is still in doubt. The Celtics will release their official injury report later Tuesday, when further clarity on Porzingis' status will be provided. Porzingis scored 20 points (8-13 FG) in 21 minutes during his return from the 10-game absence in Game 1, and he continued to excel in Game 2 before being taken out, posting 12 points (4-7 FG), four rebounds and two blocks in 23 minutes.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: No concern regarding calf issue
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Coach Joe Mazzulla said after Sunday's win over the Mavericks that he isn't concerned about Porzingis' calf heading into Wednesday's Game 3, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.
Porzingis logged 12 points (4-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, two blocks and an assist in 23 minutes during Sunday's victory, but he exited the matchup with 4:40 remaining and didn't return. He appeared to be getting his calf looked at on the team's bench area, but the issue isn't expected to be a concern as the NBA Finals roll on.
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Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Coming off bench in Game 2
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Porzingis will come off the bench in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday versus the Mavericks, Malika Andrews of ESPN.com reports.
Porzingis returned for Game 1 of the NBA Finals after suffering a right soleus strain in Game 4 of the Celtics' opening-round series against the Heat. The 28-year-old left his mark off the bench in Game 1, putting up 20 points, six rebounds and three blocks across 21 minutes in a blowout victory. Al Horford will retain his role in the starting lineup, though his minutes will likely decrease, as Porzingis' role is expected to grow as the Celtics look to take Game 2 at home.
