On Monday night, the Celtics will get a second chance to become NBA champions, this time on the parquet floor of TD Garden.
With Boston looking to make Game 5 of the NBA Finals the championship game, they elevated Kristaps Porzingis to Monday's game after he was initially listed as questionable because of a dislocated left posterior tibial tendon that has sidelined him the past two games.
But his role will likely be limited, and after a lopsided 122-84 loss in Game 4, it would have made more sense to hold him back.
“Right before Game 4, we were told Kristaps Porzingis was going to be used only situationally,” Shams Charania said Monday on FanDuel TV's “Run It Back.”
“When you're defending inbounds, when you have to shoot a free throw, when you have 0.3 seconds left on the possession, you have to protect the rim against the threat of a lob shot. I expect the same thing in Game 5,” Charania said, adding, “He's just not at that level physically.”
Inside the Celtics spoke with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Robert Volk, former team physician for the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, about how Porzingis' dislocated posterior left tibia will affect his performance, his risk of further injury and whether he will require surgery this offseason.
The former All-Star averaged 16 points, five rebounds and 2.5 blocks in the first two games against the Mavericks, helping Boston take a 2-0 lead in the series.
“I'm going to miss him a lot,” Jrue Holiday said during media day at TD Garden on Sunday. “Top three players on the team. Scoring, rim defense, shot blocking and comedic relief. So it was great playing with him. I wish he was here.”
“He's an incredible player and someone we care deeply about and he gives us a lot of strength,” Payton Pritchard said, adding, “We're fortunate to have him on our team.”
“He definitely wants to play. He's got a really strong competitive spirit and I know he'll give it his all to be in uniform and out there with his teammates,” the former Oregon Ducks player added.
Those efforts, which included pregame workouts with Celtics assistant coaches Tyler Rushbrook and DJ McCrea, earned Porzingis clearance to play in Game 5, albeit in a limited role, and continue to help Boston reach Banner 18. Boston could accomplish that mission on its home court on Monday.
References
Jayson Tatum delivers Joe Mazzulla's message to the Celtics ahead of Game 5 of the NBA Finals
The ever-dependable Xavier Tillman talks about learning to 'be a star in your role'
Celtics detail keys to best quarter of postseason
Celtics weather late storm to move one win away from Banner 18
Sports doctor details challenges, risks for Kristaps Porzingis playing in NBA Finals
Jrue Holiday's 'championship DNA' infuses Celtics
Celtics are halfway through Game 18 with subdued defense
Jayson Tatum: Joy outweighs pressure of returning to NBA Finals
The moment the Celtics won Game 1 of the NBA Finals
Celtics set tone for NBA Finals with Game 1 haymaker