Kristaps Porzingis Injury Update: Uncertainty Surrounds Celtics Star's Game 3 Availability
Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis may be heading straight back to the sidelines following a significant injury scare in the NBA Finals. Porzingis suffered a "torn medial retinaculum, allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon" in his left leg, throwing his availability for Game 3 on Wednesday night into doubt.
He is considered "day-to-day" moving forward, casting uncertainty on his return to the court. Compounding the Celtics' concerns, this new issue is unrelated to the calf strain that kept Porzingis out for over a month during the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Despite the setback, Porzingis remains optimistic. He had a wrap and/or brace on his left ankle while speaking to reporters on Tuesday and appeared to be moving freely. However, walking around is much different than playing in a high-stakes NBA Finals game. If it were up to Porzingis, he would play, but the team is not going to let him take any unnecessary risks.
Anatomy of the Injury
The medial retinaculum is connective tissue that serves as the roof of the tarsal tunnel—akin to the carpal tunnel but located in the foot. It anchors multiple structures in place, including the tendon of the posterior tibialis. If the retinaculum is torn, the tendon can shift out of place (dislocate), causing pain and instability of the ankle and foot.
A 2006 study indicated that there have only been 32 documented cases of a dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon (the worst-case outcome) recorded in the English language. This underlines the rarity and seriousness of Porzingis' injury. Evan Jeffries created a helpful graphic to show where the medial retinaculum and posterior tibialis tendon are located, further illustrating the complexity of this injury.
Impact on the Celtics
Porzingis' uncertain status is worth considering when assessing how his absence would affect the Celtics. The team went 9-1 without him earlier in the playoffs, demonstrating that they can manage without their star player. However, his return in Games 1 and 2 of the Finals proved to be a massive boost. Porzingis scored 32 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and blocked five shots on 12-of-20 shooting in just 43 minutes. The Celtics were plus-25 with him on the floor during those games.
Porzingis can space the floor or hunt switches if guarded by a smaller player. On the defensive end, he has provided some critical rejections and has altered plenty of other shots. He is the team's only true rim protector, and his absence would put more pressure on Al Horford and force the Celtics into some interesting lineup decisions.
Lineup Considerations
If Porzingis is unable to play, the team could give backup big minutes to non-shooting threats like Luke Kornet or Xavier Tillman, which would allow the opponent's big men to linger around the basket. Alternatively, they could opt for small-ball lineups with Jayson Tatum or Oshae Brissett at the five. Neither option is optimal for the Celtics.
Despite these potential complications, the Celtics still have the upper hand in the series with a 2-0 lead. However, this matchup may have just gotten a lot more interesting. The Celtics must reconsider their strategy and player rotations moving forward, adding another layer of intrigue to an already electrifying NBA Finals.
Team and Player Statements
Porzingis expressed his determination to play, stating, "I'm going to do everything I can to be out there tomorrow." The team recognizes his importance but is erring on the side of caution. "We've taken the decision to play out of his hands, because of the importance of him," a team representative said. "He's going to do everything he can to play, and then we're going to leave it up to our medical team."
Whether Porzingis can defy the odds and step onto the court for Game 3 remains to be seen. His contributions are immensely valued by the Celtics, and the team will ensure any decision to play him is thoroughly vetted by the medical staff.
As the Celtics navigate this unforeseen complication, the rest of the NBA world watches closely. Porzingis' potential absence could change the dynamics of the Finals, making for a captivating continuation of this epic series.