Celtics vs. Mavericks Finals: Kristaps Porzingis’ 10-Second Pause Fuels Recovery Doubts Amid Jason Kidd’s Praise

Kristaps Porzingis' injury concernsKristaps Porzingis (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Kristaps Porzingis is reportedly nearing full recovery from his injury. He was a full-participant in practice is expected to return for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. However, a recent response from the Celtics’ power forward has left some uncertainty among fans.

During a recent press conference, Porzingis took a noticeable 10-second pause when asked if he was running pain-free. After this brief moment, he smiled and said, “Yes.” Though seemingly joking, the pressure and anxiety were evident on his face.

This moment has left fans wondering about the true state of his recovery and whether he will be at his best for the crucial upcoming games.

Porzingis has been sidelined throughout the conference finals due to a right soleus strain, an injury he sustained during the first-round series against the Miami Heat. The injury was non-contact, often indicating a strain or tear requiring careful management and recovery.

Kidd Praises Kristaps Porzingis’ Short Stint with Mavericks

As the Dallas Mavericks prepare to face off against the Boston Celtics in the upcoming NBA Finals, there’s an interesting subplot involving Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd and Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis. Kidd briefly coached Porzingis during the 2021–22 season in Dallas. In a recent press conference, the Mavs’ coach shared his thoughts on their time together.

 

“When you talk about, ‘Did it work, did it not work,’ I only had him for a short period of time. I thought it was going well in the sense of our defense, his ability to block shots, and rebound. And then offensively, we looked to post him up a little bit more… He has the skill set to do both. I thought KP did great for us,” Kidd said.

During his tenure with the Mavericks, Porzingis was a significant contributor, particularly in his first season under coach Rick Carlisle. He attempted an average of 7.1 three-pointers per game and managed to maintain good stats despite being plagued by injuries. Over his two-and-a-half seasons in Dallas, Porzingis averaged 20 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game.

The upcoming game will be a reunion for Porzingis and an emotionally charged matchup for Mavericks star Kyrie Irving. Irving, who previously played for the Celtics, is set to face his former team in the Finals.