Celtics issue update on Kristaps Porzingis
The Celtics have issued a medical update on center Kristaps Porzingis.
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
Peter Casey-USA TODAY SportsWith 'Banner 18' officially theirs, and with the parade through the streets of Boston officially in their rearview mirror, the Celtics have shifted their focus to what's next. Specifically when it comes to the health of center Kristaps Porzingis following an injury-interrupted playoff run for Boston.
Injured in the Green's first-round series against the Heat, and then again in Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks, the Celtics have once again confirmed that Porzingis will indeed need surgery, and have decided that Porzingis will not be well enough to play in the 2024 Olympics.
"Kristaps Porzingis suffered a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on June 9th. This injury always requires surgical repair," the Celtics said in a statement. "Porzingis had hoped to delay surgery until after both the NBA Finals and Latvia’s Olympic campaign, but the injury doesn’t allow for consistent play at the level required for Olympic competition. Surgery will be performed in the coming days, and further updates will be provided when available."
The update from the Celtics rules the 7-foot-2 out of playing for his home country of Latvia once again after a foot issue held him off the court during the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
In his first season in Boston, Porzingis gave the Celtics an undeniably different look in their frontcourt, and averaged 20.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in 57 appearances.
The 28-year-old Porzingis also shot what was a career-best 51.6 percent from the floor, while the Celtics posted a 10-2 record whenever Porzingis scored at least 25 points.
Prior to this update, the initial word from the Celtics indicated that the surgery Porzingis will undergo will come with a recovery timeline of a couple months, and that Porzingis should be ready to go for the start of the club's title defense in 2024-25.
PHOTOS: Boston Celtics Duck Boat Rally
The Boston Celtics held their duck boat rally through the streets of the city on Friday morning, and boy did New England turn out.
Estimates put the crowd of fans lining the parade route at over one million on this sunny, warm June Friday, with crowds reaching 20 and 30 deep in some spots along the streets.
Boston is no stranger to the rolling rally that carries its city's champions on World War II era duck boats that are normally reserved for tourists traversing the Massachusetts capital. There have been 13 such celebrations in the 21st century so far, with every major team winning their league's highest prize: Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins, and most recently, the Celtics.
The massive crowds that lined Causeway, Cambridge, Tremont and Boylston Streets were treated to a show of confetti, celebratory music, and over 20 duck boats filled with Celtics players and staff.
From Jayson Tatum hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy high over his head and Jaylen Brown showing off his NBA Finals MVP award, to Al Horford wearing his cowboy hat and a drunken Tom Brady t-shirt, parade-goers were treated to one hell of a show.
If you weren't able to make it into the city for the parade, we've collected some photos of the celebration's best moments below.
PHOTOS: Boston Celtics Duck Boat Rally
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the 2024 Boston Celtics championship parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: Confetti is sprayed over Boston Celtics fans during the Boston Celtics Victory Parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win at TD Garden on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: Boston Celtics fans gather for the Boston Celtics Victory Parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win at TD Garden on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts as he holds the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy during the 2024 Boston Celtics championship parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: A general view of the duck boats during the 2024 Boston Celtics championship parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: Owner Wyc Grousbeck of the Boston Celtics reacts as he holds the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy during the 2024 Boston Celtics championship parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics during the Boston Celtics Victory Parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win at TD Garden on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: Owner Wyc Grousbeck of the Boston Celtics reacts as he holds the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy during the 2024 Boston Celtics championship parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: A Boston Celtics fan holds a "Believe in Boston" flag while waiting for the Boston Celtics Victory Parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win at TD Garden on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: Head coach Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics reacts during the 2024 Boston Celtics championship parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: Fans cheer during the 2024 Boston Celtics championship parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: A flag is displayed among confetti during the 2024 Boston Celtics championship parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts as he holds the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy during the 2024 Boston Celtics championship parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: Fans cheer during the 2024 Boston Celtics championship parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: Boston Celtics fans gather for the Boston Celtics Victory Parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win at TD Garden on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts as he holds the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player trophy during the 2024 Boston Celtics championship parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the 2024 Boston Celtics championship parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts as he holds the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy during the 2024 Boston Celtics championship parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts as he holds the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player trophy during the 2024 Boston Celtics championship parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics wears the "Celtics Title Belt during the Boston Celtics Victory Parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win at TD Garden on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
