Injured Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis is expected to undergo surgery on his left leg injury in the coming days, the team announced today in a press release (Twitter link via Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston).
Porzingis told ESPN after the NBA Finals ended last week that his injury – a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon – would require surgery, so this news doesn’t come as a surprise. However, as the Celtics explain in their announcement, the star center had hoped to put off surgery until after Latvia’s Olympic qualifying tournament — and potentially its trip to Paris. That won’t be possible, as Porzingis is unable to play through the injury at the level required for Olympic competition, per the team.
The Celtics are expected to provide updates on Porzingis’ recovery timeline after the surgery is completed. Latvia, meanwhile, will look to claim a spot in the 12-team men’s basketball Olympic tournament without Porzingis available. In order to clinch an Olympic berth, the Latvians will need to win a six-team qualifying tournament over Georgia, Brazil, Cameroon, Montenegro, and the Philippines. That tournament will take place from July 2-7 in Riga, Latvia.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- Revisiting the Celtics‘ series of trades from last year, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reports that Boston still would have traded away Marcus Smart during the 2023 offseason even if its initial deal for Porzingis – which involved sending Malcolm Brogdon to the Clippers – hadn’t fallen through. According to O’Connor, if that Brogdon trade had been completed, the Celtics intended to send Smart to the Grizzlies in a separate deal for Tyus Jones and the two draft picks Boston got in the final Porzingis trade. In that scenario, the C’s may not have been in position to acquire Jrue Holiday later in the offseason.
- Indiana center Kel’el Ware, Akron forward Enrique Freeman, and San Francisco forward Jonathan Mogbo are among the prospects who have worked out for the Knicks recently, per Ian Begley of SNY.tv. New York currently holds the 24th and 25th overall picks in the first round on Wednesday, along with No. 38 on Thursday.
- Fred Katz and Andrew Schlecht of The Athletic spoke to an Eastern Conference executive about several possible draft options for the Knicks, evaluating the pros and cons of Ryan Dunn, Kyshawn George, DaRon Holmes II, and Mogbo, among others.
- The NBA’s Board of Governors has voted to approve the sale of 15% of the Nets‘ parent company (BSE Global) to billionaire Julia Koch and her family, according to Kurt Badenhausen of Sportico. For more details on the Kochs buying into the Nets, you can read our full story here.
Not sure if I’m more hyped to see these Olympic qualifying tournaments that start next week or the FIBA u17 World Cup that starts this weekend. But I’ll definitely be locked in to all of this great competition, (& obv the Olympics & the W & the BIG3 as well). #BasketballNeverStops
For the discerning hater perhaps the fact that Bryce James, Kiyan Anthony, Alijah Arenas (as well as the sons of Monty Williams & Trevor Ariza) were all cut from this team, can motivate you to root for them… link to fiba.basketball
How many of u jumped to the link about the original trade idea to read the comments and the crap people said about those trade proposals for the 3 team trade it’s a good read
Not only did the original trade getting nixed help Boston in the long run, it also had a huge ripple effect on the rest of the league.
As the article stated, Boston wouldn’t have been able to acquire Jrue without Brogdon as salary filler. But the Clippers wouldn’t feel compelled to pursue Jrue if they already had Brogdon. So where does Jrue go if the Dame trade still happens, with his top two suitors out of the picture? Also, the original framework had Mook going to Washington, which would have made him unavailable for the Harden trade; would the Sixers have accepted a different salary filler, or been able to trade for Buddy? And so forth.
To the Heat or 76ers
Celtics should trade KP and try to get as much value as they can. Cause them stilts are going to get less limber.
Yeah the time to start trading players off a defending champion team is not 2 weeks after the parade. They’re not trading Porzingis today, next week or next month
I read KP may take a year to recover from surgery but if KP only plays half a season next year, or not at all, I’d keep him. He is a force on both offense and defense & is still young. Plus, as Luka said “continuity” is important. KP’s smile & happiness being here in Boston must carry over to the clubhouse as it does to this Celtic’s fan. Go Celtics!
Another surgery for KP ………
Man Ware would be so great for us. Fact Thibs was there. Has to mean a Center is leaving Knicks. Seems Mitch will be moved.
I always liked the trade because I always thought Marcus Smart was way overrated. But I didn’t love the trade because I was worried that Tatum and Brown didn’t have the ball handling and playmaking skills to take that job on full time. That was definitely the case in prior years as they both used to struggle with turnovers, and over-dribbling.
Glad to see they have both elevated their game a lot in that area. Really was the perfect trade.