Kristaps Porzingis‘ unusual leg injury is something the Celtics big man can play through but he’ll eventually need surgery, a medical expert told Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe (Twitter link).
Porzingis is listed as questionable to play in Game 3 of the Finals due to a “torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg.”
Dr. Daniel Kharrazi, an orthopedic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai in Boston and former Lakers consultant, told Washburn he’s only seen a injury like Porzingis’ once in 25 years.
“A lot of times the ankle and the tendon can be taped to allow play,” Khazzari said. “There are even some braces that they can use that helps protect the tendon. I don’t think it’s something that he’s gonna make worse by just playing, especially if he’s just running up and down the court and even some lateral movements may be OK. This can be a repetitive issue if he has awkward landings or with his foot in certain positions that causes subluxation of the tendon. I don’t think it’s a season-ending injury.”
We have more on the Celtics:
- The addition of Jrue Holiday has Boston two wins away from a championship. Holiday has provided stability to the starting unit and he can put up big numbers when needed, as his 26-point, 11-rebound effort in Game 2 exhibits, Kyle Hightower of the Associated Press writes. “It’s been great and the journey’s been awesome, but at the end of the day, the job is not done,” he said.
- Two-way contract players JD Davison and Drew Peterson have been in the stands during the Finals because they’re ineligible to suit up and there’s no room on the Celtics’ bench. They’re cheering the home team and jeering the opponent just as much as the fans, according to Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe. “It’s definitely like being a fan and being on the team at the same time,” Davison said. “When everybody’s standing up and cheering, I’m one of the ones standing and cheering with them. We just wanted to be a part of everything and support the guys, honestly, so we’ll take whatever seats we can get.”
- Derrick White was traded from the Spurs to the Celtics during the 2021/22 season but he still hears Gregg Popovich’s voice when he’s playing, he told Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express-News. “The simple play always is the right play. That’s something I took from (Popovich), and it’s been great for my career,” White said.
Looks like we will get the answer to the question of can the C’s win without Porzingis after all. Tatum has played great team ball and distributor so far, but C’s will need a good shooting night or two from him to close out the series.
How has this not been answered already? Celtics played and won more playoff games without Porzingis than with him.
I should have been more clear, I was specifically referring to this series. A lot of talking heads before the series were talking about if they could win without him, one person going so far as to say he was their most important player.
In these playoffs without KP teams were killing us in the paint on offense but we were able to manage and overcome this weakness. KP is also key in our offense, making scoring so much easier, with his posting up and shooting over anyone and making his foul shots. Celts have to overcome losing all this against the best the West has to offer. Come on Celtics! Go Celts!
Williams seriously hampered and rather useless in finals vs Warriors, now Kristaps. It’s a bigger deal guys Boston played against had guys miss games though. Narratives can change pretty quick. Oh well, next man up. Get a game from Al. Big Luke block, change some shots. Few put backs off boards. Hauser needs to hit some open three’s and Tatum’s shooting percentage needs to improve. Missing Kristaps brings Gafford and lively into the game more. Hardly closing out hard on Kornet to create driving lanes are they. Tatum needs to improve as a scorer 100%.
Feels like every Celtics player that “should have a surgery but decided to play through it” ruined their careers and never recovered
Translation in English: Kristop effectively twisted his knee inside out which is affecting the ankle complex.
He ain’t playing. If he does it will look like he is playing on one good leg and a stilt on the other.