Report: ‘Real doubt’ Kristaps Porzingis returns to NBA Finals originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Kristaps Porzingis will not face the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals, and there seems a good chance he will miss the rest of the series.
Shortly before the 8:30 PM ET tip-off, Porzingis was ruled out of Wednesday’s game due to a “rare” left leg injury he suffered in Game 2. The star big man was originally listed as questionable with a left posterior tibial dislocation.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said Porzingis’ injury situation will remain a “day-to-day thing.” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, however, shared a more pessimistic view during NBA Countdownreports that there is “real doubt” that Porzingis could return at any point in the series.
For what it’s worth, Porzingis told NBA TV’s Jared Greenberg he will return. That’s an encouraging sign, but that decision likely won’t be in his hands as the Celtics’ medical team will have the final say.
Porzingis’ absence will be a major blow to Boston’s frontcourt. Veteran Al Horford will once again be asked to play more minutes at center, with Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman contributing off the bench.
In his two Finals appearances, Porzingis helped the Celtics to a 2-0 series lead with 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 21.9 minutes per game.
