The latest update on Porzingis’ injury recovery during the NBA Finals originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Celtics have gone 9-1 this postseason since Kristaps Porzingis went down with a calf injury in Game 4 of the first round. But make no mistake, they 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 for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 6 against the Dallas Mavericks or Minnesota Timberwolves?
“There’s definitely hope. There’s definitely optimism,” The Athletic’s Shams Charania said Tuesday on FanDuel TV’s Feed it back show of Porzingis’ potential returns. “There are still some hurdles, I’m told, that he has to overcome before he can play in Game 1 of the Finals, but there is of course hope that this plus next week will give him the time he needs to to climb and get ready for that Game 1 next Thursday.”
“There is certainly optimism, there are still some hurdles he has to overcome before he can play in Game 1 of the Finals”@ShamsCharania with the latest news about Kristaps Porzingis pic.twitter.com/X8mKeVdL4a
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 28, 2024
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported last week that there was a possibility Porzingis could return as soon as Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The 7-foot-10 big man remained sidelined for the entire series, however, as Boston won Games 3 and 4 against the Pacers in Indiana to complete a series sweep and give themselves a full nine days off for next Thursday’s Game 1.
While Charania suggested Porzingis still has “hurdles” to overcome before he’s officially ready for the game, Celtics guard Payton Pritchard shared an encouraging update on his teammate ahead of Game 4, which bodes well for Porzingis who is on the court for Game 1.
“He looks really good. I think he’ll be ready soon,” Pritchard told NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin before Monday’s Game 4.
Al Horford has stepped up several times in Porzingis’ absence, most notably hitting seven three-pointers in Game 3 as part of a historic performance. But if Dallas advances — the Mavs currently hold a 3-0 series lead — Porzingis’ presence would be crucial to combating the dynamic young offensive duo of Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively.
If all goes well with Porzingis’ rehabilitation, it appears Boston’s third-leading regular-season scorer is on track to be ready for Game 1 and make a potentially significant impact in the championship series.
