Kristaps Porzingis Injury Update: Uncertainty Surrounds Celtics Star's Game 3 Availability
Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis may be heading straight back to the sidelines after a significant injury scare during the NBA Finals.
Porzingis' Injury Details
Porzingis sustained a "torn medial retinaculum, allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon" in his left leg. He is considered "day-to-day" moving forward, casting doubt on his availability for Game 3 on Wednesday night. This recent injury is unrelated to the calf strain that kept Porzingis out for over a month during the Eastern Conference playoffs. Despite the setback, Porzingis remains optimistic about his return.
A 2006 study indicated there have only been 32 documented cases of a dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon (the worst-case outcome) in the English language.
Understanding the Injury
The medial retinaculum is connective tissue that serves as the roof of the tarsal tunnel (similar to the carpal tunnel but located in the foot). It anchors multiple structures in place, including the tendon of the posterior tibialis. If the retinaculum is torn, the tendon can shift out of place (dislocate), causing pain and instability of the ankle and foot.
Evan Jeffries created a helpful graphic to show where the medial retinaculum and posterior tibialis tendon are located.
Porzingis was seen with a wrap and/or brace on his left ankle while speaking to reporters on Tuesday. He appeared to be moving freely. However, walking around is much different from playing in a high-stakes NBA Finals game. "I'm going to do everything I can to be out there tomorrow," Porzingis said. Despite his determination, the Celtics aren't going to let him take any unnecessary risks.
Team's Considerations and Strategy Adjustments
Porzingis' status being up in the air is worth considering how his absence would affect the Celtics. The team went 9-1 without him earlier in the playoffs. However, his return in Games 1 and 2 of this series was a significant boost, with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks on 12-of-20 shooting in just 43 minutes. The Celtics were plus-25 with him on the floor during those games.
Porzingis can space the floor or exploit switches if guarded by a smaller player. On the defensive end, he's known for providing massive rejections and altering plenty of other shots. He is the team's only true rim protector.
His absence would put more pressure on Al Horford and force the Celtics into some challenging lineup decisions. The team could give backup big minutes to non-shooting threats like Luke Kornet or Xavier Tillman. This would allow the Mavericks' big men to linger around the basket. Alternatively, they could try to play small-ball with Jayson Tatum or Oshae Brissett at the five. Neither option is optimal.
Future Implications
The Celtics still have the upper hand in this series with a 2-0 lead. However, this matchup may have just gotten a lot more interesting. The Celtics must reconsider their strategy and player rotations moving forward. This unforeseen complication adds another layer of intrigue to what has already been an electrifying NBA Finals.
Whether Porzingis can defy the odds and step onto the court for Game 3 remains to be seen. The Celtics value his contributions immensely and will ensure any decision to play him is thoroughly vetted by the medical team.
"We've taken the decision to play out of his hands because of the importance of him," said a team representative. "He's going to do everything he can to play, and then we're going to leave it up to our medical team."
As the NBA Finals progress, the uncertainty surrounding Porzingis' injury status will undoubtedly be a major storyline to follow. His potential absence may alter the dynamics of the series, providing both challenges and opportunities for the Celtics.