Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis downplays severity of knee harm

Celtics

“Simply bought hit similar to a contusion. Nothing too severe but it surely’s a bit stiff.”

Celtics massive man Kristaps Porzingis has been dominated out of Wednesday’s highway matchup in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers.

However even with the previous All-Star set to sit down out Boston’s rematch in opposition to Philly, Porzingis doesn’t count on to be on the shelf for lengthy.

Throughout Boston’s shootaround at Wells Fargo Heart on Wednesday morning, Porzingis acknowledged that he suffered a knee contusion throughout Monday’s residence win over the Knicks.

“I bought it on the [Julius] Randle drive,” Porzingis mentioned, per CLNS Media. “Simply bought hit similar to a contusion. Nothing too severe but it surely’s a bit stiff.”

Boston initially tabbed Porzingis as “questionable” for Wednesday’s recreation in its first harm report. With Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla confirming each Porzingis and Jaylen Brown’s (sickness) absence on Wednesday, Boston will flip to Al Horford and Luke Kornet as the following males up on the middle place.

Even when Porzingis’ ailment is just not severe, the Celtics could possibly be erring on the facet of warning on the subject of their 7-foot-3 massive man — particularly this early into the 2023-24 season.

Porzingis’ dimension, taking pictures contact, submit presence, and protection at each the rim and pick-and-roll conditions have made an already harmful Celtics roster arguably the staff to beat within the NBA this season.

However with Boston within the midst of a stretch that options 4 video games in six days, Boston might prescribe extra relaxation for Porzingis with a purpose to maintain him recent throughout these early weeks of the brand new season.

Porzingis, who’s logging 30.2 minutes per recreation in his first yr with Boston, is averaging 19.7 factors, 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 blocks via 10 video games.

“That’s one other factor, medical employees, they wish to be sensible about these items,” Porzingis mentioned. Now we have to play the lengthy recreation and know to not drive one thing now, that’s not possibly as needed. It’s most vital that in direction of the top of the season, that’s once we have to be on and wholesome and that’s what they’re ensuring of. So I’m simply, you understand, following the orders.”

Accidents have been one of the obvious crimson flags surrounding Porzingis’ recreation since arriving within the NBA.

Despite the fact that he performed in 65 video games with Washington final season, that marked probably the most video games the ahead has logged in a single season since his 2016-17 marketing campaign with the Knicks.

Together with lacking all the 2018-19 season because of a torn ACL, Porzingis has missed 25 video games or extra in 4 of the seven NBA seasons he has performed.