The Celtics got some positive news as there’s finally some movement on the Kristaps Porzingis injury front. The big man practiced Saturday and did everything the rest of the team did in practice, though it was a moderately hard day. The big test sounds like in Sunday’s practice, which will be more stressful.
Regardless, that’s a huge plus for the C’s ahead of the NBA Finals, which opens Thursday in Boston against the Mavericks. Porzingis’ availability will make the C’s whole again — and, as seen throughout this season, he brings a different element to the team. It’s why Celtics star Jayson Tatum only had complimentary words in talking about the talented big.
“KP essentially did exactly what we needed him to do the entire season,” Tatum said. “Whether it was punishing switches or space the five-man, being in the corner, sometimes that might be going possessions without touching the ball. Or it may be when they’re switching, we give him the ball five times in a row.”
Porzingis hasn’t played in a game since April 29, which is when he strained his calf. It looked like there was a chance the big man could return in the East Finals against the Pacers. But with the Celtics sweeping their way to the Finals, Porzingis ended up being sidelined for the entire series.
But now, Porzingis has a chance to return against his former team in the Mavericks. While it didn’t quite work out in Dallas as Porzingis was shipped out unceremoniously, he’s had a resurgence during his time with the Celtics. Porzingis also had a career year last season in Washington, though it was for a losing team. This year, he’s proven he can be a huge contributor on a title contender.
The only issue is that the Celtics haven’t seen Porzingis on the court for more than a month. But with the Finals right around the corner, that issue should be fixed here soon.
“We switch things up a lot and we have so many talented, gifted players on the offensive and defensive end,” Tatum said. “Everybody’s just got to be open to trying to different things. And I give KP a lot of credit — especially somebody as talented as he is and obviously as tall as he is. A lot of the big guys may be stuck in their ways doing what makes them comfortable. He got outside his comfort zone a little bit and it made us a better team.”
