Injury Update: Uncertainty Surrounds Kristaps Porzingis's Game 3 Availability
Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis may be heading straight back to the sidelines after a significant injury scare in the NBA Finals. Porzingis suffered a "torn medial retinaculum, allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon" in his left leg. This diagnosis renders him "day-to-day" moving forward, casting doubt on his availability for Game 3 on Wednesday night. Notably, this new issue is unrelated to the calf strain that kept Porzingis out for over a month during the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Rare Injury Seen in Few Cases
A 2006 study indicated there have only been 32 documented cases of a dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in the English language. The medial retinaculum is a connective tissue serving as the roof of the tarsal tunnel—think carpal tunnel but in the foot. It anchors multiple structures in place, including the tendon of the posterior tibialis. When torn, the tendon can shift out of place (dislocate), causing pain and instability of the ankle and foot.
Evan Jeffries created a helpful graphic to show where the medial retinaculum and posterior tibialis tendon are located. Porzingis had a wrap and/or brace on his left ankle while speaking to reporters on Tuesday and appeared to be moving freely. However, walking around is much different than playing in a high-stakes NBA Finals game. If it were up to Porzingis, he would play, but the team isn't going to let him take any unnecessary risks.
Impact on the Celtics
Porzingis' status being up in the air warrants considering how his absence would affect the Celtics. The team went 9-1 without him earlier in the playoffs, but his return in Games 1 and 2 of this series was a massive boost. He had 32 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks on 12-of-20 shooting in just 43 minutes. The Celtics were plus-25 with him on the floor during those games. Porzingis can space the floor or hunt switches if guarded by a smaller player. On the defensive end, he's provided some massive rejections and has altered plenty of other shots. He's their only true rim protector.
Lineup Adjustments and Strategy
His absence would put more pressure on Al Horford and force the Celtics into some interesting lineup decisions. The team could give backup big minutes to non-shooting threats like Luke Kornet or Xavier Tillman. This would allow the Mavericks' big men to linger around the basket. They could try to play small-ball with Jayson Tatum or Oshae Brissett at the five. Neither option is optimal. The Celtics still have the upper hand in this series with a 2-0 lead, but this matchup may have just gotten a lot more interesting. The Celtics must reconsider their strategy and player rotations moving forward.
Porzingis remains optimistic, saying, "I'm going to do everything I can to be out there tomorrow." Despite his determination, the team understands the importance of not rushing his recovery. "We've taken the decision to play out of his hands because of the importance of him," stated a team official. "He's going to do everything he can to play, and then we're going to leave it up to our medical team."
What's Next?
This unforeseen complication adds another layer of intrigue to what has already been an electrifying NBA Finals. Whether Porzingis can defy the odds and step onto the court for Game 3 remains to be seen. The Celtics value his contributions immensely and will ensure any decision to play him is thoroughly vetted by the medical team. As the clock ticks down to Game 3, all eyes will be on the Celtics' medical reports and Porzingis's resilience.
In summary, Porzingis's injury introduces several dynamics into the series. While his return offers a significant boost, his potential absence tests the Celtics' depth and strategic flexibility. Regardless of his status for Game 3, the Celtics must adapt and execute with the resources at their disposal to maintain their edge in the NBA Finals.