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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

It has been a great ride for the Boston Celtics fans. The team has been performing excellently well at the NBA finals, with a 10-1 record post-season. However, the great Celtics are missing their big man, Kristaps Porzingis, after Game 2. Interestingly, this time, it is not the calf injury in his right leg that kept him outside of the court for most of the playoffs. Rather, he picked up a new one with 3:27 until the end of the third quarter in Game 2, per the Celtics front office. Even in Game 3, Porzingis was pulled off the roster house before the match despite being the first player on the court for the shootaround.

And it seems that the Unicorn might not step again on the court in Game 4 as well, considering the past experience and the report from the Celtics insider Taylor Snow. As per Snow, Kristaps Porzingis’ presence on the court for the title-clinching game is “QUESTIONABLE” due to his Left Posterior Tibialis Dislocation. At first, it seemed that Porzingis might have troubled his right calf again when he fought for a rebound with PJ Washington, at the end of the fourth quarter in Game 2. However, that was not the case, as he had a different injury this time.

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This injury is close to the 7’2″ footer Latvian’s heel. If this issue grows bigger in the future, it might affect the career of the rim protector for the Celtics. And that’s why the team front office is careful with the big man. As per coach Joe Mazzulla, “It’s a serious injury, and at the end of the day, the medical team is not going to put him in any bad situations. So he’s going to do everything he can to play, and then we’re going to leave it up to our medical team.”

Can Dallas Mavericks slip through the gap created by Kristaps Porzingis’ absence on the court?

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Considering the ambiance of the reports, Porzingis might not play in Game 4 either. It is the best-case scenario for the Dallas Mavericks, as the Unicorn’s presence as the rim protector really proved to be a nightmare for the Mavs. Moreover, he stopped the lob shots from the opponents in the two games that he played. Overall, he blocked five shots while scoring from the field. He scored 20 points in Game 1 and 12 points in Game 2.

USA Today via Reuters

The reach and the amount of space that Porzingis covers on the field are quite significant. He has big arms and a frame to block and gets opportunities when there is a loose ball. This kept the Mavs for the initial games as he crumbled their defense. Though the Celtics won the Game 3, they missed the depth on the roster. The winning margin against the Mavs was less than 8 points.

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If the Dallas team picks up their pace in Game 4 against the Celtics, they might look to close the gap. Therefore, Porzingis’ absence or presence on the court might crucially affect his team’s winning spree. What do you think will be the end result if Porzingis does not play? Let us know in the comments. And while you’re here, check out what Shaq’s former agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese debate.