Boston Celtics versatile big-man Kristaps Porzingis is a major reason why the C’s are up 2-0 in the NBA Finals.
After missing 10-straight games in the playoffs with injury, Porzingis made his triumphant return to the lineup in Game 1 and proved to be one of the biggest – if not the biggest – stars of the game.
He finished with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks on 8-13 shooting in just 21 minutes played.
If not for the red-hot tear he went on early in the game, you could certainly make the argument that the end result could have turned out different.
Unfortunately, the one thing that has held Porzingis back from becoming a truly elite player in the league has been injuries.
Sure enough, the ugly injury bug struck again in Game 2 as Porzingis suffered a torn medial retinaculum. (In hockey terms, it’s called a “lower body injury.”)
Following the game, Porzingis provided the media with one of the greatest quotes of all-time.
When asked about his status for Game 3 in Dallas, Porzingis made it extremely clear that he was going to do absolutely everything in his power to be out on the floor.
“I’ll be good … I’ll die out there,” he said.
That quote came before the full tests were done.
He ended up being diagnosed with what the team called a “rare injury” and his true status for Game 3 tonight remains up in the air.
“It’s kind of a random situation,” Porzingis said. “I felt something, and now I have to deal with it.”
“I don’t care,” he added. “I’ve been through some stuff in my career, and obviously this is a rough patch coming back and having something happen right away again. It’s tough … just a tough moment right now.
“But I’m feeling pretty good. I’m feeling pretty good. Mind is good. We’ll see…”
Head coach Joe Mazzulla stressed that Porzingis is doing everything he can to be able to play tonight.
“Yeah, I mean, listen, he’s doing anything and everything he can to be ready for the game,” Mazzulla said. “It’s a serious injury. At the end of the day, our team and the medical team is not going to put him in any bad situations.
“We’ve taken the decision to play out of his hands … 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.”
Porzingis admitted he wasn’t really sure what the potential ramifications would be if he tried to play, in terms of his injury potentially getting worse.
“I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t know the specifics. But that’s something I’ll leave in the medical staff’s hands to determine whether I can go or not.
“But from my side, as I said, nothing is going to stop me unless I’m told I’m not allowed to play. That’s the only reason I would not be out there.”
If Porzingis is ruled out or limited in Game 3, a bigger burden will be placed on Al Horford, who has remained in Boston’s starting lineup but has struggled at times in the playoffs when his minutes had to be ramped up into the high 30s and low 40s.
Horford spends way too much time on the perimeter looking for 3-pointers. (Although that sadly is by Mazzulla’s design.)
The bigger problem comes on defense where Horford has become an absolute liability. At his age, he’s nothing more than a statue who welcomes opposing players to routinely blow past him.
The Celtics also could see either Luke Kornet or Xavier Tillman – their other primary backup options at center – get some minutes as the series progresses.
Either way, the mission doesn’t change for Boston whether Porzingis is available, limited or out for Game 3.
“Same old, same old,” Celtics forward Jaylen Brown said. “KP has been tremendous for our group, not just in the playoffs, but all season long. It’s obvious him on the floor just helps elevate us to a different level.
“But we’ve been priding ourselves on next-man-up mentality. We prepare for these moments to be able to play with or without anyone.
“It just requires somebody else on our team to step up and everybody to buy in to get a full team victory.”
Porzingis’ extra motivation to face Dallas – especially IN Dallas – stems from his tumultuous past with Luka Doncic and the Mavs.
Drafted fourth overall in 2015 by the New York Knicks, Porzingis was burdened with high expectations. His career has been marred by multiple injuries each season.
His move to the Mavericks, alongside fellow European star Luka Doncic, was initially promising but ultimately fell apart in disappointing fashion.
After a strong start in Dallas, injuries once again hindered Porzingis, and his performance plummeted during the postseason, earning him the unflattering nickname “Pandemic P.”
This moniker, initially aimed at Paul George, highlighted Porzingis’ playoff struggles.
Further scrutiny arose recently when former Mavs star Chandler Parsons commented on the strained relationship between Doncic and Porzingis.
“Don’t get it twisted: They do not like [Kristaps] Porzingis in Dallas. Luka [Doncic] did not like playing with him, there is an actual beef there … [KP] is getting booed,” Parsons revealed. (Although Doncic has since downplayed the remarks.)
What are your thoughts on Porzingis?
Will he play tonight?
If he doesn’t – or if he’s severely limited – do you think it could spell trouble for the Celtics?
Or are the Mavs just so overmatched that it really won’t matter?
By the way – is Kyrie Irving EVER going to show up???