Celtics give official update on Kristaps Porzingis’ injury
Ahead of Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics offered an official update on Kristaps Porzingis injury situation.
As the Boston Celtics prepare for Game 3 of the NBA Finals, they’re left once again monitoring another Kristaps Porzingis injury situation.
Porzingis returned for this series after a calf strain had held him out for most of the playoffs, and had a dominant Game 1. However he looked labored at times in Game 2, something both he and head coach Joe Mazzulla downplayed after the game.
During media day ahead of Game 3 on Tuesday though the Celtics issued a further update on Porzingis. That included the fact he suffered a new injury, not related to the calf strain.
“Celtics Center Kristaps Porzingis suffered a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg at 3:27 of the third quarter of Game 2,” the team said in the statement. “The injury is unrelated to Porzingis’s prior right calf injury. After consultation with numerous specialists regarding this rare injury, his availability for upcoming games will be determined day-to-day.”
The play leading up to the 3:27 mark in the third quarter can be seen here. Porzingis pulls up slightly as the Celtics come up the floor, but doesn’t show any signs of discomfort beyond that. He also stayed in the game for the remainder of the quarter, recording a block a few minutes later.

Despite the injury, Porzingis still says he plans to play in Game 3. “I will do everything I can to be out there tomorrow,” Porzingis told reporters during media availability shortly after the news of his new injury was announced.
Porzingis added that the only way he won’t play is if the Celtics’ medical staff tells him he can’t. “I cannot trick them into allowing me to play, but I will try,” he said on Tuesday.
Following media availability the Celtics held a practice at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Porzingis was not on the floor the portion of practice open to the media. According to ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Porzingis was wearing a sleeve on his left ankle during media availability.
“He’s doing everything he can to be ready for Game 3,” Mazzulla told reporters on Tuesday when asked about the Porzingis injury. “It’s a serious injury. We are putting [his availability] in the hands of our medical staff.” Mazzulla added he has “no idea” if Porzingis will play in Game 3.
This injury comes right before the shortest break between games of the NBA Finals. Game 3 will be Wednesday night in Dallas, with just one day off before Game 4 on Friday. After that, there are two days off between each game, with a travel day in each break (assuming any of those games are needed).
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