Kristaps Porzingis has missed most of the 2024 NBA Playoffs with a calf injury, yet it hasn't mattered much for the Celtics. They've cruised to the Finals due to the depth of their team. But Boston is going to need Porzingis in order to advance past a great Dallas squad.
Porzingis was Boston's second or third-best player during the regular season, depending on who you ask. He averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.9 blocks per game, helping the Celtics achieve the No. 2 defense and No. 1 offense in the league. More importantly, he is going to be extremely useful in this particular matchup because of the personnel and style of play that the Mavericks use.
All signs are pointing towards Porzingis being able to go during this series. Still, it's unclear how close to 100 percent he will be, and he may be rusty after a long layoff.
Here's why Porzingis' health looms large in the 2024 NBA Finals.
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Porzingis can punish switches better than anyone on the Celtics
Porzingis was a very inefficient post player earlier in his career. When he was with the Mavericks, coach Rick Carlisle criticized those who suggested that the big man should get more post touches.
Carlisle was right at the time. But Porzingis put in a lot of work in his post game and became much more selective in when to post up. Now, he's the most efficient post player in the league.
Porzingis presents real problems when teams try to switch against him, as the Mavs did earlier this year. He will destroy smaller players down low.
Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic are going to be targeted a lot in this series. Both have played much better defensively than their reputation suggests, but they are not going to be able to hang with the 7-2 Porzingis. That could be one of Boston's best ways to attack this tough Dallas defense.
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The Celtics will need Porzingis' shooting ability
Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford have been extremely effective as rim protectors for the Mavericks. That has been the key to the team's defensive success.
Those two obviously need to be positioned close to the basket for their shot-blocking to take effect. Porzingis, who shot 37.5 percent from 3 this season, is going to make that difficult.
Porzingis shot 4-of-8 from 3 in the lone game that he played against the Mavericks this season. That was a dominant 28-point blowout win for Boston, thanks in large part to his 24 points and stretch ability.
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Porzingis is the Celtics' best zone breaker
The Mavs don't use zone a ton, but they did break it out very effectively during their second-round series against the Thunder. That zone stagnated the Thunder's drive-heavy offense, allowing Lively to stay anchored near the rim.
That same zone isn't going to work against the Celtics. Porzingis is extremely dangerous in the middle of the floor, which is a soft spot in most zones. He's also such a big target that it's easy to get him the ball there.
When he catches it in the middle of the floor, Porzingis is going to score or find a teammate for a great shot. His natural ability as a zone-buster is going to take that option off the table for Dallas.
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Porzingis' defense will be vital
Porzingis has been one of the league's best rim protectors all season. His 1.9 blocks per game would be in the top 10 in the league had he played in enough games to qualify for the leaderboards. He also altered a ton of shots. Opponents shot 13.6 percent worse within six feet of the basket against him, per Crafted NBA, ranking in the 97th percentile of all players.
Porzingis' intimidation factor was on display when these two teams met during the regular season. Both Irving and Doncic pulled up for long midrange shots rather than trying to challenge the big man at the rim. Those have been makeable shots for them in the playoffs, but Boston would rather concede them than allow a drive to the rim.
Porzingis should also be able to deflect some of the lob passes that have given other teams trouble in these playoffs. Doncic is going to find some windows to get those off, but it will be more difficult given that he will have to thread them over Porzingis' 7-6 wingspan.
Porzingis has a great backup in Horford, but the Celtics are going to need both big men available. Porzingis simply does too many things that nobody else on the roster can replicate.
