‘Ramping Up’ Injury Rehab Before 2024 NBA Finals, Says Celtics Head Coach Kristaps Porziņģis
Mazzulla indicated that although he is unsure if PorziņĿis will be ready for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, he has been “ramping up the intensity level” of his on-court practice recently, in an interview with 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Zolak & Bertrand:
A calf strain has prevented Porziņģis from playing since Game 4 of Boston’s first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat. A trade with the Washington Wizards prior to the 2023–24 season saw the 7’2″ center come to the Celtics from Latvia.
When PorziņĿis arrived with guard Jrue Holiday, he joined a squad already loaded with players like Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown. He quickly became a vital member and a perfect fit.
With 57 appearances in his first campaign with the Celtics, the former All-Star shot 37.5 percent from outside the arc and 51.6 percent from the field to average 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.9 three-pointers per game.
The Celtics finished the regular season with a 64-18 record, which was seven games better than the best record in the league thanks to a strong performance from PorziņĚis. Averaging 12.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 three-pointers made, 1.8 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 steals in four postseason games for Boston prior to suffering an injury, the 2015 first-round choice of the New York Knicks went on to play.
The Celtics have swept the Heat in the opening round, beaten the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round, and defeated the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals after Porziņģis went out with an injury. Without PorziŇģis, the Boston Celtics are an outstanding 9-1 and have only lost twice in these playoffs.
Boston is waiting to find out who they will play in the NBA Finals after sweeping Indiana. With one game remaining in the Western Conference Finals, the Dallas Mavericks lead the Minnesota Timberwolves 3-1.
Irrespective of their opponent and Porziņģis’s condition, the Celtics will probably be overwhelming favorites to win a title based on their play during the regular season and the playoffs. Nonetheless, PorziņĖis’s return would provide the Celtics with a huge advantage in their quest for their first NBA championship since 2008. Boston is clearly a more complete team with him in the fold.