We saw Kristaps Porzingis warm up extensively before Game 4 of the Finals. Victim of a “tear of the medial retinaculum, generating dislocation of the tendon of the posterior tibial muscle”an extremely rare problem, the Latvian wore protection that covered his entire right leg, and he had even been declared fit…
“It’s not quite ready yet, but it’s available” had tempered Joe Mazzulla at a press conference. “But we will only use it in very specific cases, if necessary. »
Relaunched on these “very specific” cases, the coach did not want to dwell, repeating that his interior was not “available only for very specific situations”.
“He fights like hell to play. But it's up to us to protect him and make sure it's in his best interest as a player and as a person.”
Given the travel difficulties encountered after the injury during Game 2, the Celtics would probably not have restarted Kristaps Porzingis for long stretches. Maybe Joe Mazzulla only considered him on a few offensive systems, to take advantage of his size and his quality outside shooting.
Maybe it was just a bluff. In any case, the scenario of the meeting quickly buried the option, while Boston does not want to take any risks with its player.
“Kristaps has made progress between yesterday and today”explained Joe Mazzulla earlier in the day. “He fights like hell to play. But it's up to us to protect him and make sure it's in his best interest as a player and as a person. The question of what is best for a player and a person has nothing to do with where we are in basketball. »
With three more match points in these Finals, including two at home, including the next Game 5, the Celtics do not need to rush the return of Kristaps Porzingis. At least not right away.
| Kristaps Porzingis | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2015-16 | NYK | 72 | 28 | 42.1 | 33.3 | 83.8 | 1.8 | 5.5 | 7.3 | 1.3 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 14.3 |
| 2016-17 | NYK | 66 | 33 | 45.0 | 35.7 | 78.6 | 1.7 | 5.5 | 7.2 | 1.5 | 3.7 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 18.1 |
| 2017-18 | NYK | 48 | 32 | 43.9 | 39.5 | 79.3 | 1.3 | 5.3 | 6.6 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 22.7 |
| 2019-20 | DAL | 57 | 32 | 42.7 | 35.2 | 79.9 | 1.8 | 7.7 | 9.5 | 1.8 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 20.4 |
| 2020-21 | DAL | 43 | 31 | 47.6 | 37.6 | 85.5 | 1.9 | 7.0 | 8.9 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 20.1 |
| 2021-22 * | All Teams | 51 | 29 | 45.9 | 31.0 | 86.7 | 2.0 | 6.1 | 8.1 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 20.2 |
| 2021-22 * | DAL | 34 | 30 | 45.1 | 28.3 | 86.5 | 1.9 | 5.8 | 7.7 | 2.0 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 19.2 |
| 2021-22 * | W.A.S. | 17 | 28 | 47.5 | 36.7 | 87.1 | 2.2 | 6.6 | 8.8 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 22.1 |
| 2022-23 | W.A.S. | 65 | 33 | 49.8 | 38.5 | 85.1 | 1.8 | 6.7 | 8.4 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 23.2 |
| 2023-24 | BOS | 57 | 30 | 51.6 | 37.5 | 85.8 | 1.7 | 5.5 | 7.2 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 20.1 |
| Total | 459 | 31 | 45.9 | 36.1 | 83.1 | 1.7 | 6.1 | 7.9 | 1.8 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 19.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
