Kristaps Porzingis Injury Update: Joe Mazzulla Reveals 7′2″ Star’s ‘Moderate’ Participation With Team 6 Days Before NBA Finals

The Boston Celtics have entered the finals and are all set up to face the Dallas Mavericks in the finals. However, the Celtics have been missing their 7’2″ big man, Kristaps Porzingis, since the first round of the playoff series against the Miami Heat. The Latvian center got out of Game 4 against the Heat due to a strained soleus. It is a calf muscle injury that has been troubling the Celtics center. However, Porzingis surprised his fans last Wednesday with the message “soon” to mark his probable return to the court against the Mavs. The hopes are high as coach Joe Mazzulla added a positive update to Porzingis’ announcement.

While speaking to the press recently, Mazzulla updated the press about Porzingis‘ condition: “Today was kind of moderate, but he went through everything that the team did today.” On Friday, the Celtics coach informed the fans that their center is “progressing well.” Notably, there were speculations that Porzingis might make his return at the Eastern Conference Finals. However, it could not be materialized due to his physical condition not enough to perform on the court.

Interestingly, the team against which Porzingis probably going to mark his return is one of his former teams. He was a part of the Mavericks from year 2019 to 2022. At the end of the trade deadline, he was then transferred to the Washington Wizards. Though, the Celtics did not need Porzingis yet as they sailed their way smoothly through the playoffs. The Mavericks will pose a different challenge to the NBA title contenders.

Kristaps Porzingis can prove to be an Ace of Trump for the Celtics in the finals

In the last couple of years, the Boston Celtics did not need their big man, Porzingis, to get into the playoffs. However, the size of the Celtics center is apt to put a fight against the best in the finals. Even his team hired the 28-year-old to perform on such occasions. In the absence of the Celtics pivot, Al Horford,  Luke Kornet, and Xavier Tillman got the chance to show their mettle during the games. The rest of the task was done by their offense.

However, the Dallas Mavericks have got a strong game at the 5 featuring players Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford. Though Lively stayed out for some games during the Western Conference Finals, he made a return in Game 5 and scored 9 points. Notably, Lively has hit all of his 16 shots in the finals series against the Wolves. Therefore, Porzingis must come out of his den to tackle the big men from the Mavs, who are dominant on both ends.

Apparently, Boston’s offense has got their hands full with the Mavs’ three-pointers. But Kristaps Porzingis can prove to be an X-factor here as he has the height advantage over the opponents’ centers. It will help the Celtics to shut down the additional scoring from Mavs’ end. Though Porzingis has not got the green light yet, the drills point out a return. What’s your prediction on the Celtics pivot? Let us know in the comments, and watch out for what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, shared about the marketing genius in the following video.