Celtics ‘confident’ where Kristaps Porzingis is right now
As the Boston Celtics prepare for their NBA Finals matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, the team could have some help on the way.
Big man Kristaps Porzingis partook in portions of Friday’s practice, which was the first since the team clinched an NBA Finals berth.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla voiced that Porzingis’ recovery from a right calf strain is moving along well.
Want $250 to bet on NBA futures?
“He’s getting better,” Mazzulla said at the team’s facility via ESPN. “He’s out there shooting. Went through a couple of drills in practice. So, progressing well and kind of confident where he’s at right now.”
The 28-year-old has missed more than four weeks after suffering the injury in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series matchup against the Miami Heat. Since then, the Celtics have taken a precautionary approach to his health.
In his first campaign with Boston, he’s been a strong source of reliability on both ends of the floor. In 57 games played that he all started, he averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks while shooting 51.6 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent from beyond the arc.
Read: Pelicans Decide To Defer First-Round Draft Pick From Lakers
Porzingis has been a strong rim protector while providing stable offensive production behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Although he’s returned to the practice court, he still has a few hurdles to pass first before he plays. The team likely wants to see him perform against contact and see how his body responds to that increased physicality.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals is next Thursday night, giving him plenty of time to prove he can take the floor against the Mavericks.
