Boston Celtics fans were in for a minor scare despite their team's victory in Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, 105-98.
Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis appeared to reaggravate a previous right calf strain during the first quarter of the contest held at the TD Garden in Boston on Sunday, June 10. He did not return to action for the rest of the evening.
However, despite the tweak, the Latvian big man does not plan to miss Game 3 of the series on Wednesday, June 12, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
"I will die out there," the 28-year-old said.
Porzingis appeared to have hurt his leg with 6:21 left in the game, landing awkwardly after contesting Mavericks forward PJ Washington's layup.
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He missed a month of action, being sidelined for ten games after injuring the same calf in Game 4 of their first-round series against the Miami Heat. He only returned in Game 1 of the Finals.
The 7-foot-2 player will play in Dallas for the first time since being traded away from the Mavericks in February 2022.
Joe Mazzulla provides promising update on Kristaps Porzingis' injury
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla alleviated the team's fears after being asked about the level of concern about Porzingis' injury coming into Game 3.
"Zero. He's good," the 35-year-old told reporters in the post-game press conference.
Porzingis had a quiet but solid outing compared to his explosive 20-point performance in Game 1. He dropped 12 points on 4-7 shooting and added four rebounds and two blocks in Game 2.
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