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Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

Kristaps Porzingis gives encouraging update on his condition after Game 2

Author Alex Barth
Jun 9, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) reacts after a play against the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter in game two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics forward Kristaps Porzingis looked limited at times in Game 2, he isn’t worried.

After his starring role in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis showed more wear and tear in Game 2. Part of what made Porzingis’ Game 1 performance so impressive was the fact that he was returning after missing over a month due to a calf injury. That absence led to questions about conditioning and rust, which didn’t seem to be an issue in that game.

While Porzingis found some success in Game 2 – He scored 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting with four rebounds and two blocks, while recording a team-high plus-12 while on the floor- he looked much more labored than he did in the series opener.

The difference was notable and had some wondering if the injury was going to continue to be an issue (although its worth noting Porzingis’ role increased in Game 2 when he played 23 minutes, up from 20 in Game 1). However, both Porzingis and head coach Joe Mazzulla downplayed that idea after the game.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 09: Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics reacts in front of Dereck Lively II #2 of the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter in Game Two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 09, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Kristaps Porzingis during the first quarter in Game Two of the NBA Finals. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

“I feel good. Feeling good. I don’t think it’s anything serious,” Porzingis told reporters after the game. “But we’ll look at it tomorrow and go from there. But all good. I’ll be good.”

While Porzingis couldn’t/wouldn’t narrow down exactly what was bothering him on Sunday (“I don’t even know what it is, to be honest. But I’ll be good.”), he doesn’t plan on missing any time. Asked if his status is in doubt for Game 3, Porzingis told reporters “I will die out there.”

Mazzulla wasn’t quite as direct, but downplayed any major issue. When asked if he was worried about Kristaps Porzingis’ status forward, he replied “no, he’s good.”

Porzingis will have some extra time to rest up before he needs to take the floor again. There are two off days (including a travel day) before the series shifts to Dallas for Game 3.

Coverage of Game 3 can be heard on 98.5 The Sports Hub and the BetMGM Celtics Radio Network. Pregame gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET leading up to an 8:30 tip.

Keep scrolling for more on the Celtics’ Game 2 win…

Alex Barth is a digital content producer and on-air host for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Barth grew up in the Boston area and began covering both the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, and Boston Red Sox in 2017 before joining the Hub in 2020. He now covers all things Boston Sports for 985TheSportsHub.com as well as appearing on air. Alex writes about all New England sports, as well as college football. You can follow him across all social media platforms at @RealAlexBarth.

Celtics hold off Mavericks to take 2-0 lead in NBA Finals

The Boston Celtics held off a late rally by the Dallas Mavericks in the fourth quarter, to win Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals on Sunday night at TD Garden by a 105-98 final.

Boston led by as many as 14 points in the closing minutes, before Dallas made it a two-possession game with a late run. Celtics point guard Derrick White made a timely blocked shot to kill the run for good, and effectively put the game away.

Jrue Holiday led the Celtics in scoring with 26 points, shooting 11-for-14 from the field (78.6%). Jayson Tatum struggled again shooting the ball on offense (6-for-22, 27.3%), but finished with 12 assists and nine rebounds, just one board shy of a triple-double.

Celtics-Mavs Highlights, Game 2

The Mavericks handily out-shot the Celtics in the first quarter, but escaped with only a three-point lead at 28-25. Dallas shot 52.4% as a team, compared to 36.8% for Boston, including 1-for-9 from three-point range.

Jaylen Brown did, however, add another highlight-reel slam dunk to his finals resume.

  • The shots started to fall more in the second quarter, as the C’s shot 12-for-20 (60%) as a team. Point guard Jrue Holiday continued his hot shooting, ending up with 17 first-half points on 7-of-9 (77.8%) from the field.

    Celtics on NBC Sports Boston on X (formerly Twitter): "That ball movement 😮‍💨👌 pic.twitter.com/LJtTmxYbzD / X"

    That ball movement 😮‍💨👌 pic.twitter.com/LJtTmxYbzD

  • In the third quarter, the Celtics started to pull away. At one point, they went on a 25-11 run to go up by 13 points ad 80-67. Tatum scored eight points and continued his strong passing night to get up to 10 assists.

    Boston Celtics on X (formerly Twitter): "Plays like this are what makes Jrue great 👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/p2kwR7pQRB / X"

    Plays like this are what makes Jrue great 👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/p2kwR7pQRB

  • Dallas ripped off a 7-0 run to cut the deficit back down to six with the final seconds ticking away in the third, but that’s when Celtics guard Payton Pritchard woke up the whole arena. Pritchard heaved it from nearly half-court and made the Hail Mary shot, putting the C’s back up by nine entering the fourth quarter at 83-74, and drawing the loudest pop of the series so far.

    Boston Celtics on X (formerly Twitter): "WHO ELSE pic.twitter.com/b5lWgkkZIG / X"

    WHO ELSE pic.twitter.com/b5lWgkkZIG

  • The Celtics pulled back away to lead by as many as 14 points in the fourth quarter, after a White steal set up a Holiday three-pointer, then White drained a triple of his own to make it 103-89 Celtics.

    However, the Mavericks wouldn’t go away quietly. They rattled off a 9-0 run to make it 103-98 C’s with just 1:15 left in regulation, then had the ball with a chance to cut further into the deficit.

    But then, White delivered a clutch blocked shot and Holiday pulled down the rebound, and Brown took it the other way to lay it in and put the Celtics back up seven with 30 seconds left. That’s how the score would hold, as the Celtics take their 2-0 lead to Dallas.

    Boston Celtics on X (formerly Twitter): "DERRICK WHITE 🚫 pic.twitter.com/K40AaqRCTk / X"

    DERRICK WHITE 🚫 pic.twitter.com/K40AaqRCTk

    Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Celtics and Mavericks takes place Wednesday night at American Airlines Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.

    Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.

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