All systems go for the Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis.
“I’ll play tomorrow,” Porzingis told reporters during the 2024 NBA Finals Media Day.
“I’m feeling good, looking forward to today’s practice, moving around a little bit and then being ready to go tomorrow.”
The Boston Celtics all but confirmed KP's return by announcing they had no injuries to report for the Finals opener against the Dallas Mavericks.
#NEBHInjuryReport for tomorrow vs. Dallas:
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 5, 2024
No injuries to report 👀
That means good news for the Cs and for Porzingis.
The Latvian big man strained his calf in Game 4 of the Celtics-Heat Eastern Conference opening round, causing him to miss 10 games this playoffs, including the entire second and third rounds against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers, respectively.
Kristaps Porzingis exited Monday's game after suffering an apparent injury. pic.twitter.com/dA0v7jIIBv
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) April 30, 2024
Without him, Boston held up and steamrolled to the championship series where they will face against Porzingis’ old team in the Mavericks for a chance to clinch a record 18th NBA title.
“[It] burns inside me, not being able to be out there. [But] tomorrow, finally I’ll get the chance and I’m excited for it,” KP admitted.
Porzingis also shrugs off any concerns of taking it cautiously when he returns to the court for the first time in nearly one-and-half month, assuring he’ll be ready to do whatever it takes to help the Celtics.
“The intensity is a little bit higher, but I have to go out there and play like it’s a basketball game and that’s it.”
The 28-year-old sweet shooting big man played a key role in both ends alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in the regular season, helping Boston to win a league-high 64 wins in the regular season behind a solid 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game behind a 46/36/83% shooting splits.
You can watch Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Mavericks and the Celtics on Friday, June 7, 8:30 a.m. LIVE on One Sports, NBA TV Philippines, the Pilipinas Live app, and RPTV.
