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Kristaps Porzingis (Source: Barstool Sports)
It is unclear whether injured Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis will be ready to play in the NBA Finals this week. However, signals indicate that he will be ready to return to the floor sooner rather than later, during Boston's game against the Dallas Mavericks.
The 7-footer has not played a game since suffering a strained left calf in Game 4 of Boston Celtics first-round playoff series against Miami on April 29. However, a 4-1 victory against the Heat and Cleveland in the second round, followed by a 4-0 sweep of Indiana in the Eastern Conference finals, have allowed the Latvian a longer recuperation period.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla has refrained from predicting when Porzingis will be ready. Despite a 9-1 record without Porzingis in the postseason, he stated unequivocally that his team is better with him in the lineup. According to AP News, Porzingis last spoke publicly on May 4, stating of the injury, "It's something, it's nothing," and estimating that it would take "a little bit of time" to recuperate.
Kristaps Porzingis missed seven games earlier this season
Since then, his official status has been day-to-day as he gradually began rehabilitating for a chance to face Dallas Mavericks, with whom he previously played from 2019-22. Two days later, when the doors were opened to the media following a practice session on Friday, Porzingis was one of just a few players who remained on the field, going through long 3-point shooting exercises with assistant coaches and trainers. He donned a compression sleeve over his damaged left leg.
Kristaps Porzingis missed seven games earlier this season due to what the club described as left calf problems. He also lost time this season due to soreness and bruising in his right knee, right hamstring troubles, a sprained left ankle, and a painful back. Porzingis used social media this week to deliver his most major update, writing on the X platform, "I'll be back in the lineup very soon. "See you in the finals."