With Kristaps Porzingis on the mend from a torn meniscus that ruled him out for the remainder of the Mavericks‘ first-round playoff series against the Clippers, he could return if Dallas advances, head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters on Saturday (via Callie Caplan of the Dallas News).
“The door is not closed on the entire season if we are able to advance,” Carlisle said. “When I spoke to you guys on Wednesday about this, he had practiced. He was sore. It was clear that he was doing everything he can … and it just wasn’t progressing the way he hoped.”
Porzingis spoke to reporters about his latest injury on Saturday, noting that he suffered the tear early in Game 1 which made him doubt his availability for Game 2, per Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News (Twitter link).
“I played through it in Game 2 and Game 3,” Porzingis said. “After Game 1, my knee was just locked, I didn’t know if I could play in Game 2 then somehow I got it [the knee] going and thought I could keep this up. I would say Game 3 it got worse. Right before the game, I just couldn’t get the knee going and it’s super disappointing and super frustrating. But I learned how to accept that feeling.”
While Porzingis hopes to avoid surgery on the knee, he admitted that it remains to be seen how it responds in the coming weeks before a final decision is made. The Latvian big man averaged 20.4 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.8 APG, and 2.0 BPG in 57 games during his first season in Dallas.
From experience, you can probably play a week or two after surgery. It won’t feel good and will be really sore, but it’s doable.
If Thunder trade 7 of 15 future first round picks, then Mavs would fight for 8th seed next year
True or false?
8th seed contenders
Suns are good at bubble
Blazers are healthy
Mavs have young stars
….,,
Why on earth would they do that? What’s the point of forfeiting the future of the franchise to try and stay competitive right now? If they were smart they would trade Schroder while his stock is the highest it will ever be. Luckily they will soon be free of Roberson’s burdensome contract as they will be of Chris Paul’s in a couple of years.
Those are nice stats for the year. Why would you take a chance with his future. He’s not a player you play if he’s banged up. Too brittle, ok at him sit till next yr. Get healthy and gain weight.
See ya in 2022. Mavs aren’t advancing