of Boston Celtics The NBA Finals are on a roll, leading the series 2-0 heading into Game 3 against the Mavericks in Dallas on Wednesday night. Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the way in Game 1, but Jrue Holiday was Boston’s leading scorer in Game 2 with 26 points, and Derrick Brown also provided a big help with another 18 points.
But that momentum has now suffered a brutal blow.
The Celtics announced that Kristaps Porzingis, who returned from a calf injury in Game 1 and added 20 points in 21 minutes off the bench, is “day-to-day” with what the team described as a “rare” dislocated tendon.
Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla described the injury, which is again listed as “day-to-day,” as “serious.”
Joe Mazzulla said it’s a “serious injury” and that the Celtics’ medical team will determine whether Kristaps Porzingis will be available. “He’s doing everything he can to be able to play,” Mazzulla said. https://t.co/bgl8lLCupi
— Tim McMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 11, 2024
According to Boston’s head coach, a “medical team” will decide whether Porzingis will be able to play.
Porzingis was first injured in Game 4 of Boston’s season opener against the Miami Heat. With what was described as a right calf injury, Porzingis missed the remainder of Boston’s Eastern Conference playoff series, returning only for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
After scoring 20 points in Game 1, Porzingis played 23 minutes in Game 2 and contributed 12 points for Boston, but as Doris Burke pointed out during the game, he slumped awkwardly to the floor in the first half and appeared to be limping the rest of the way.
However, it seems doubtful the Celtics will face him again in this series.
