The Boston Celtics could receive a big boost ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Finals following word that Kristaps Porzingis could suit up and play.
The center is currently listed as questionable for Wednesday night’s game after picking up an injury during Boston’s Game 2 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night.
kristaps Porzingis analyzes the Celtics’ second NBA Finals victory
Porzingis only just returned to the court for Game 1 after initially picking up a calf injury in the team’s first-round series against the Miami Heat.
From there the Latvian watched from the sidelines as the Celtics marched towards the NBA Finals. However, he impressed after returning to the court, scoring 20 points in 21 minutes as the Celtics blew out the Mavericks in the opening game of the NBA Finals.
He carried that form into Game 2, scoring 12 points in 23 minutes and finishing with a game-high plus 12. Unfortunately for him and the Celtics, Porzingis suffered a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg during the game, which put his status for the rest of the series into question.
Porzingis trending in the right direction?
However, news on Wednesday suggests Porzingis could suit up and play in Game 3.
Although he is listed as questionable, it is believed he will go through warm up and then decide whether to get out on the floor.
Porzingis has proven to be a key part of the Celtics’ success so far in the finals, as Boston has outscored Dallas by 25 points with him on the floor. With him off it, the two teams are dead even.
His presence on the court has proven to be a big issue for the Mavericks, as they have been reluctant to drive to the basket with the Latvian in the paint.
In 57 games during the regular season, Porzingis averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks over while playing 29 minutes per game.
He finished with impressive shooting numbers as well, shooting 51.6 percent from the floor, 37.5 percent from three-point range and 85.8 percent from the free-throw line.
Porzingis also posted a career high .226 win shares per 48 minutes.
