Kristaps Porzingis’ NBA Finals status uncertain with ‘rare’ leg injury

The Celtics shed some light on the leg injury suffered by Kristaps Porzingis in the 2024 NBA Finals.

Porzingis left Game 2 against the Mavericks after he landed awkwardly while battling for a rebound with PJ Washington.

Tuesday, the Celtics announced that Porzingis “suffered a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of posterior tibialis tendon” in his left leg.

The Celtics said it was “unrelated” to the calf injury Porzingis suffered earlier in the playoffs, in his right leg, which caused him to miss several weeks.

The team did not specify if this latest injury will cause Porzingis to miss any games.

“After consultation with numerous specialists regarding this rare injury, his availability for upcoming games will be determined day-to-day,” the Celtics said.

Porzingis said he’s “optimistic” about playing in Game 3 in Dallas on Wednesday night.

“Obviously I’m gonna do everything I can to be out there tomorrow,” Porzingis told reporters Tuesday.

Asked if it was a pain-tolerance issue or if he could do more damage, Porzingis said he didn’t know the specifics.

“That’s something I’ll leave in the medical staff’s hands to determine whether I can go or not,” he said, according to the Associated Press. “Nothing is going to stop me unless I’m told I’m not to, or not allowed to play. That’s the only reason I would not be out there.”

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla described it as a “serious injury” and said the team wouldn’t put Porzingis in any bad situations. Porzingis is listed as questionable.

“We’ve taken the decision to play out of his hands because the importance of him,” Mazzulla said, according to the Associated Press. “He’s going to do everything he can to play. We’re going to leave it up to our medical team. That’s really it.”

The Celtics hold a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, and Porzingis has been a key contributor, particularly in Game 1 when he scored 20 points on 8-for-13 field goal shooting.