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 in the NBA Finals. Porzingis suffered 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 new issue is unrelated to the calf strain that kept Porzingis out for over a month during the Eastern Conference playoffs. Nevertheless, Porzingis remains optimistic, asserting, "I'm going to do everything I can to be out there tomorrow."
Understanding the Injury
The medial retinaculum is connective tissue that serves as the roof of the tarsal tunnel, analogous to the carpal tunnel in the wrist. It anchors multiple structures in place, including the tendon of the posterior tibialis. When the retinaculum is torn, the tendon can shift out of place (dislocate), causing pain and instability in the ankle and foot.
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. Evan Jeffries has created a helpful graphic to show where the medial retinaculum and posterior tibialis tendon are located to further elaborate on the injury's complexity.
Porzingis’ Current Status
Porzingis was seen with a wrap and/or brace on his left ankle while speaking to reporters on Tuesday and appeared to be moving freely. However, walking around is much different than playing in a high-stakes NBA Finals game. If it were up to Porzingis, he would play: "I'm going to do everything I can to be out there tomorrow." Nonetheless, the team isn't going to let him take any unnecessary risks. "We've taken the decision to play out of his hands, because of the importance of him," a team representative stated.
Impact on the Celtics
With Porzingis' status up in the air, it's essential to consider how his absence would affect the Celtics. The team went 9-1 without him earlier in the playoffs. His return in Games 1 and 2 of this series was a significant boost, as he scored 32 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and blocked five shots 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 hunt switches if guarded by a smaller player. On the defensive end, he's provided some massive rejections and has altered plenty of other shots. He serves as their only true rim protector, which makes his potential absence even more concerning.
Adjusting Team Strategy
If Porzingis cannot play, it would put more pressure on Al Horford and force the Celtics into some interesting lineup decisions. The team could give backup big-man minutes to non-shooting threats like Luke Kornet or Xavier Tillman, which 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 of which is an optimal solution.
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 unforeseen complication adds another layer of intrigue to what has already been an electrifying NBA Finals. The Celtics must reconsider their strategy and player rotations moving forward.
Final Thoughts
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. "He's going to do everything he can to play, and then we're going to leave it up to our medical team," a team representative affirmed. As the series progresses, fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring his status, knowing that his presence could be the deciding factor in this high-stakes showdown.
Porzingis' injury not only challenges the Celtics' depth and adaptability but also raises the stakes for what promises to be an intensely competitive and gripping continuation of the NBA Finals.