Celtics’ Kristaps Porziņģis Suffers ‘Rare’ Leg Injury; Questionable for NBA Finals G3

The Boston Celtics announced Tuesday that center Kristaps Porziņģis is questionable for Game 3 of the NBA Finals and will be considered day-to-day due to a left leg injury.

The Celtics clarified this is a new and “rare” injury and separate from the right calf strain that caused him to miss the majority of the 2024 NBA playoffs.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Porziņģis is “determined and expects to continue to try and play with this tendon injury in the Finals,” adding “there’s no indication he’ll be ruled out and not permitted to try in Game 3.”

While the team’s announcement and Wojnarowski’s report appeared to leave open the possibility for Porziņģis to return at some point during the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, head coach Joe Mazzulla painted a different picture. He told reporters this is a “serious injury.”

Porziņģis’ status for Game 3 was already the subject of some uncertainty because he appeared to aggravate his calf problem in Boston’s 105-98 Game 2 victory. He played 23 minutes and finished with 12 points and four rebounds, but he left with 4:40 on the clock in the fourth quarter and didn’t return.

After the game, the 7’2″ big man downplayed the significance of the situation.

“I feel good,” he told reporters. “Feeling good. I don’t think it’s anything serious. But we’ll look at it tomorrow and go from there. But all good. I’ll be good.”

At this point, it’s anybody’s guess as to whether Porziņģis will suit up again in the Finals and how much he might be allowed to play if he is cleared. Based on how he looks and sounds, you’d guess he’s on track for a return Wednesday night.

However, that picture is at clear odds with what the Celtics and their head coach have presented publicly.

The Mavericks have dropped the first two games of the Finals and their best player is operating at less than 100 percent. In short, Dallas is in very real danger.

Porziņģis’ injury doesn’t single-handedly swing the series in the Mavs’ favor, but it’s the kind of break they could certainly use.