Kristaps Porzingis was a force for the Celtics in the first two games of the 2024 NBA Finals before missing Game 3 because of a leg injury.
Signs indicate that he will be available as Boston goes for a series sweep of the Mavericks in Game 4.
Porzingis is dealing with a "rare injury" that Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla described as "serious." Could Porzingis try to push through his injury and give the Celtics some minutes in a potential clinching game? He said he would "die out there" if needed ahead of Game 3 and that the only thing that would hold him back would be the medical staff forbidding him to play.
Will Porzingis play? Here's the latest on his status as the Celtics look to wrap up their series with the Mavericks in short order.
MORE: The latest on Kristaps Porzingis' 'rare' leg injury
Is Kristaps Porzingis playing tonight?
Porzingis will play in Game 4.
Hours ahead of tip-off, Mazzulla told reporters that Porzingis would be available as needed in "short instances," indicating his role may be limited. Porzingis played for 23 minutes in Game 1 and 21 minutes in Game 2.
Porzingis is listed as day-to-day after suffering a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg. The injury is rare, as the medial retinaculum is made of strong, thick tissue and doesn't often tear.
Porzingis said before Game 3 "nothing is going to stop me unless I'm told I'm not allowed to play" when asked about his status. He may work hard to play, but there is "real doubt" the big man will be able to return, as ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on NBA Countdown.
In his two NBA Finals games, Porzingis is averaging 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks while seeing 21.9 minutes per game off the bench. His rim-protecting presence on defense was particularly important to Boston's success in the first two games of the series.
Al Horford will continue to start in Porzingis' place, and Xavier Tillman will take over for him as the top big off the bench. Tillman had three points, four rebounds and two blocks in 11 minutes during Game 3.
MORE: Kristaps Porzingis' 'rare' injury could spell bad news for Celtics in Finals
What time is Mavericks vs. Celtics today?
- Date: Friday, June 14
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
The Mavericks vs. Celtics game will tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday, June 14. Dallas will host the game at the American Airlines Center.
What channel is Mavericks vs. Celtics?
- Date: Friday, June 14
- TV channel: ABC (U.S.) | TSN 1/3/4/5 (Canada)
- Live stream: Sling
Mavericks vs. Celtics will air on ABC in the United States and TSN in Canada. U.S. viewers can also stream the game on Sling.
Sling is the home for sports fans, offering various channels. You can always cheer for your favorite teams on channels like ESPN, TBS, TNT, NFL Network, FS1 and more.
NBA Finals schedule 2024
The Celtics can close out the 2024 NBA Finals with a road win at the American Airlines Center in Dallas in Game 4. If necessary, the series will shift back to TD Garden for Game 5, and the home team will alternate for the remainder of the series.
(1) Celtics vs. (5) Mavericks — Boston leads series 3-0
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| June 6 | Celtics 107, Mavericks 89 | — | — |
| June 9 | Celtics 105, Mavericks 98 | — | — |
| June 12 | Celtics 106, Mavericks 99 | — | — |
| June 14 | Game 4 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
| June 17 | Game 5* | 8:30 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
| June 20 | Game 6* | 8:30 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
| June 23 | Game 7* | 8 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
*If necessary
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