On Monday night, the Boston Celtics will host the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
The Celtics could be without one of their best players for this game, as Kristaps Porzingis is on injured reserve.
The 2018 NBA All-Star has missed the past two games, so if he doesn’t play, this will be his third consecutive absence.
Porzingis Available for Game 4 (but did not play).
Via Boston Celtics: “#NEBHInjuryReport for tomorrow’s game against Dallas:
Kristaps Porzingis (left posterior tibial tendon dislocation) – questionable
#NEBHInjuryReport On tomorrow’s game against Dallas:
Kristaps Porzingis (left posterior tibial dislocation) – questionable
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 16, 2024
Porzingis, in his first season with the Celtics, finished the regular season with averages of 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.9 blocks while shooting 51.6% from the field and 37.5% from three-point range in 57 games.
They are the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and have the best record in the NBA (64-18).
The Celtics held a 3-1 lead against the Mavs but lost Game 4, 122-84.
They struggled all night, shooting just 36.3% from the field (as a team).
That being said, if the Celtics win (Monday), they will win their first NBA championship since the 2008 season, when Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce were still with the team.
If the Mavericks win Game 5, the teams will return to Dallas for Game 6 on Thursday night.
The last time the Mavericks won a championship was in 2011, while Dirk Nowitzki was still on the roster.
