The Boston Celtics have been without star big man Kristaps Porzingis since Game 4 of their first-round series against the Miami Heat, but he could be back with the team soon. Coach Joe Mazzulla said Porzingis participated in at least some of Boston's practice on Friday, two days after promising on social media that he would be back “soon.”
“He's getting better,” Mazzulla told reporters. “He's hitting shots. He's had some drills in practice, so he's progressing well and I'm confident with where he is right now.”
Boston will host the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals next Thursday, June 6. When asked if he was confident Porzingis would play in the season opener, Mazzulla was modest in his response.
“No matter what day it is, I'm sure I know where he'll be,” he said.
Here's some more footage of Porzingis taking the shot, courtesy of Noah Dalzell of the Celtics Blog.
“Thank you to everyone for your support and sympathy throughout the season. I'll be back soon. See you in the Finals,” Porzingis' post, translated from his native Latvian, said in a statement, which also suggested he plans to play for Latvia in this summer's Olympic qualifiers.
Porzingis played in 57 games for the Celtics during the regular season. He strained his soleus, one of two calf muscles, in a game against the Heat on April 29. He's been sidelined since then, and while it was reported at the time that he could return during the Eastern Conference finals, that never happened. Mazzulla told reporters on Thursday that Porzingis has no issues and is “working hard to get back.”
The Mavericks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals on Thursday, meaning Porzingis will face his former team on the league's biggest stage. He played for Dallas from 2019 until the 2022 trade deadline, at which point he was traded to the Washington Wizards. Meanwhile, Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving played for Boston from 2017 to 2019 before joining the Brooklyn Nets in free agency.
Despite Porzingis' absence, the Celtics have come through the Eastern Conference largely unscathed, going 12-2 against the Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers, all of which had star players absent due to injury for part or all of their respective series. The Mavericks are a much bigger threat, and Porzingis' presence is essential. His ability to score at all three levels and protect the basket unlocks the best version of this Boston team.
The Celtics didn't acquire Porzingis for the regular season or early playoffs, because they've been mostly smothered in those areas over the past few seasons. They traded for him because they knew they needed him now. Porzingis is a part of the Celtics going into the Finals, and he'll be lucky to return in time to play.
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