Celtics Reveal Kristaps Porzingis’ Injury Designation for NBA Finals Game 3

The Boston Celtics have revealed the initial injury designation for Kristaps Porziņģis ahead of Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Celtics are officially listing Porziņģis as questionable to play, per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.

Read more: Celtics Star Kristaps Porziņģis Suffers Tear in Leg

The Celtics announced on Tuesday that Porziņģis has suffered a torn medial retinaculum in his left leg, allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon. They called it a “rare injury,” and said they’ll determine his availability on a “day-to-day” basis.

Porziņģis suffered the injury at the 3:27 mark of the third quarter of Game 2. He was able to continue playing in the game, however, he was clearly playing through pain.

After the game, Porziņģis was asked about his availability for the rest of the series, and emphatically said, “I’ll die out there if we need.” However, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzula made it clear on Tuesday that his availability will be up to the team’s doctors, not Porziņģis.

Porziņģis also spoke to reporters on Tuesday and expressed optimism about his Game 3 availability, saying, “I’m gonna do everything I can to be out there.”

The Celtics played without Porziņģis for a majority of the NBA playoffs after he left their Game 4 matchup against the Miami Heat in the first round with a calf injury. Porziņģis missed both the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. He was able to return in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, where he made an immediate impact off the bench, scoring 20 points and bringing down six rebounds while blocking three shots.

The Celtics have played a total of 35 games without Porziņģis this season including both regular season and postseason. In those games, they’re an incredible 30-5. Still, his impact was felt in both Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals.

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Porziņģis expressed optimism he’ll be able to suit up for Game 3, which tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday night. If he’s able to go, it will provide a huge jolt to the Celtics, who are looking to go up 3-0 over the Mavericks.

No team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit in NBA postseason history, so Game 3 in Dallas is as close to a must-win game as it comes.

Porziņģis’ status likely won’t be determined until close to game time, but for now, he’s clearly doing everything he can to suit up for Boston.