As the 2023-24 season gets closer to the end, we are at the final leg of the cycle. A cycle that was fraught with controversies, officiating drama, terrible on-court altercations, shocking turn of events, and more commonly, injuries. And now that we have our final contenders, the top candidate in our minds when it comes to injuries is none other than the Celtics’ big man, Kristaps Porzingis. 

The good news is that all signs point to Porzingis taking the floor for Game 1 vs the Dallas Mavericks. We are, of course, yet to get an official update on it. However, as mentioned, he should be ready in time for the Finals series. The Latvian center last played in Game 4 vs. the Miami Heat. Thanks to a non-contact injury, Kristaps missed the remaining games as well as the rest of the playoff series.

Porzingis was seen leaving Kaseya Center that night in walking boots while leaning on a guy next to him. It was clear that the injury-addled player was once again at the cruel hands of, well, injury Gods. In the days and weeks following, we had been getting updates about him and they were all positive ones. And more recently, we have someone else with a realistic take on what it could mean to play No. 8 against the backcourt duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Joining 6-8 Weeks: Perspectives on Sports Medicine, Dr. Brian Feeley, a renowned name in the sports medical field and especially known for his takes on athletic injuries, shares his opinion on Kristaps Porzingis.

“Can he jump?”: Dr. Feeley asks a paramount question pertaining to Kristaps Porzingis

The one-time All-Star is a defensive stalwart. There are no two ways about that. But at the end of the day, can he do what he does best? Or will he end up being a liability? In all honesty, Boston had prepared to play without Kristaps since the start of the season. While his availability does provide that added depth, the Cs did finish the regular season with the best league record and as the No. 1 seed in the East.

They have clinched home court advantage as and when they need it, including the Finals. And they did so without Kristaps Porzingis for a huge chunk of it. So, as Dr. Feeley states, “For anyone who’s had a calf strain, the question is ‘Can he jump?’ … Specifically, you’re gonna have people that are gonna be driving against him physically. Is he gonna be able to backpedal quickly and jump and defend in the paint?”

“Unlike many centers, where they play more flat-footed, Porzingis plays a more vertical game, essentially, go up and down and then come back and cover everybody against the Mavericks. … But if he has any pain when he plays, the risk is that as soon as he plays, he’s gonna re-injure himself.“

That is something the team wouldn’t want to deal with at the moment. With the Finals starting on June 6th, Porzingis would have had around 3-4 weeks of rest. So, if he does feel 100%, then his presence in the court would be advantageous. Given how well he’s been rehabilitating, as is clear from the statements of Coach Mazzulla and other representatives, we should be seeing a familiar, 7’2 face among the sea of green at TD Garden.