Kristaps Porzingis, who was traded this offseason from the Wizards to the Celtics, won’t suit up for Latvia in the 2023 World Cup, he confirmed today in a post on Twitter.
“It is difficult, I feel very responsible to myself and the supporters of the Latvian national team, but a decision has been made that I will not play in the World Cup,” Porzingis wrote in Latvian. “After several weeks of recovery and a repeat MRI examination, the plantar fasciitis of my foot still prevents me from being on the field in full readiness.
“This joint decision has been made by both the medical staff and coaching staff of the national team, as well as the Celtics team – with the advice and opinion that it is now necessary to continue the recovery process. Such a decision is not easy to make, but I promise that I will be there and support the team as much as I can.”
Reporting last week from Rupert Fabig of BIG Deutschland indicated that Porzingis was dealing with a foot issue and that there were concerns about his availability for the World Cup. The Latvian national team disputed that report at the time, but it appears Fabig’s information was accurate.
While it’s good news that Porzingis isn’t dealing with a significant break or tear in his foot, plantar fasciitis is still a painful ailment that can linger for quite some time. There’s no indication yet that the big man’s availability for the start of training camp or the NBA regular season is up in the air, but it will be an issue worth monitoring leading up to the fall.
The Celtics acquired Porzingis in a three-team trade that sent Marcus Smart to Memphis after the veteran forward/center picked up his $36MM player option for the 2023/24 season. Boston subsequently signed Porzingis to a two-year extension that will keep him under team control through ’25/26.
LOL.
Probably a bad sign that your big move is already hurt and he hasnt played a single pre season game as a Celtic. Brad really should of learned from Gallo.
But you have to understand the tremendous pressure on these guys. They even had to lie about the injury a week or two ago. They said it was nothing, false.
But no big deal, plantar fasciitis will go away in a couple of months when treated properly. He’ll be good to go.
It never goes away completely. I’ve had it come and go for 25 years now.
The guy averages 57.4 games played per season. Not someone I’d go all out and trade or.
Would you trade for him and two 1st picks for a PG when you have two other guys that can play just as good or sometimes better?
They ended up with the Warriors ’24 first and the Wolves ’25 first as well
Don’t try to make rational points, haters gonna hate. Cs just need him healthy for the playoffs, though its true hes extremely fragie.
LOL
Probably a bad sign when you can’t write a sentence without numerous errors,
Because of a fluke ACL tear for Gallinari? That should have taught stevens what exactly?
Well that sucks. Still, could be a lot worse for the Celtics. I still think they had no choice but to change it up. They weren’t winning the title as they were.
They almost beat the warriors. They were that close and probably should have beat the Warriors if Tatum played a little better. That was just 2 years ago with the same squad.
That was with an elite level Marcus Smart… not the same squad
And the rest of the East has improved since then, not to mention the teams in the West more likely to take the title than the Warriors this season. Sticking with the same team doesn’t always mean the same success.
If Tatum played decent they would have won.
Plantar fasciatis heals with rest.
Apparently, he is resting.
BOS bought into this for the next 3 years when they made the trade and extended him. The dimension that KP6 adds to their team may or may not prove worth it. But I’m fairly certain the deal wasn’t made with the regular season in mind.
Exactly, his availibility for the playoffs is what really matters, of course he hasn’t been on a team that has made a deep run yet.
I for one am shocked!
Not a surprise at all. Then they tried to act like everything was all good when the story came out.
Boston traded away Marcus Smart for a player with an extensive injury history. His 65 games played last year let you know that this year was gonna be a challenge.
The worst part about the trade is how did Boston think they could get this guy through the Regular Season, let alone the Playoffs.
Prior to last year, I don’t remember the last season Porzingis was still playing past February.
In fairness, Smart averaged 65.5 games player so far in his career. Due to his playing style and turning 30 in March, it wouldn’t be a reach to suggest his average games played will trend in the wrong direction. Still love Smart, but they both aren’t exactly playing 82 games.
Was it a one for one trade?
I’m glad it wasn’t a navicular bone injury.
Better to find out now than later.
Veto the trade
He’s resting cause. Celtics want him too. Forget this tournament. Needs to honor his contract. This is a bad sign ……
His condition will only get worse. So probably does need surgery. Don’t know how long it takes you out. But he has to man up for this yr. Celtics are counting on him. Better to rest it, handle it now. surgery at end of season .
link to webmd.com
Read the link, thanks. It’s fiber tears which need to heal, basically by rest I believe. Link says it’s a rare case surgery is involved.
Hot take: Cs are a play-in team and don’t get past the 1st round!
I had plantar fasciitis and it took about three months to really heal. But it did. Of course Kristaps is 7’3″ and a lot of big guys have foot problems. He surely needs to rest it and I’m happy to read he’s already a few weeks in. Get healthy KP!
Omg, like who could have seen this coming?
OMG Krutis blows weak attempts at trolling? like no one could see that coming. Celtics continue to live in you brain rent free
No surprise here. These beanpole-type of bigs are plagued with foot issues Rik Smits, Ilgauskas, Yao
Training camp some weeks away though, time to heal.
It is a little worrisome he’s already banged up but it could be worse….the C’s star player could be just about ready for a trade and their 2nd best player could be in the media calling the GM a liar….