BOSTON — Just as it appeared the worst was behind Boston Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis, another hurdle appears. This time, it occurred on the biggest stage in basketball: the 2024 NBA Finals in Game 2 against Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.

On Tuesday afternoon, ahead of the Boston Celtics Media Day availabilities and open practice, the team announced that Porzingis suffered a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg.

Additionally, the team says this new injury is unrelated to Porzingis' prior right calf injury. The Latvian big man and the team had, ‘consultation with numerous specialists' regarding this rare injury and determined that he would be considered day-to-day moving forward with his availability for Wednesday's Game 3 currently up in the air.

“It's kind of a random situation,” Kristaps Porzingis told members of the media on Tuesday. “I felt something, and now I have to deal with it. As we said, it's going to be day-to-day, and I'll see how I am tomorrow, and obviously I'm going to do everything I can to be out there tomorrow, and we'll see.”

Kristaps Porzingis' Status Moving Forward

Porzingis suffered the injury at the 3:27 mark of the 3rd quarter of Game 2. He would play a few minutes after, but was visibly limited and in some discomfort. The Latvian center finished Game 2 with 12 points, four rebounds, and two blocks in 23 minutes of action.

After the game, Porzingis told reporters he wasn't worried about the injury and that he'll, ‘die out there' if that's what it took for him to play.

“Yeah, I'm living by those words,” Porzingis laughed when asked about that quote by ClutchPoints. “Of course. I mean, I hope not, but if it comes to that to win, yes.”

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla preached a much more concerning message despite the ‘day-to-day' label on his big man.

“Listen, he's doing anything and everything he can to be ready for the game tomorrow,” Mazzulla said at Tuesday's NBA Finals media availability. “It's a serious injury. At the end of the day, our team and the medical team is not going to put him in any bad situations.

“We've taken the decision to play out of his hands because the importance of him. He's going to do everything can he to play. We're going to leave it up to our medical team. That's really it.”

At this stage Porzingis says he doesn't know if there's a risk of further injury by playing on the torn medial retinaculum, but will convince the coaching and medical staffs to let him play.

“Let me play. I feel good. Let's do treatment. Obviously, yeah I can't trick them into making me or allowing me to play, but I will try.”

Kristaps Porzingis was not on the floor for the open portion of Celtics practice on Tuesday afternoon, and it's unlikely he did much of anything given what he's facing.

“It's just a lot of treatment all day,” Porzingis explained. “Treatment and following what the medical staff is making me do. And that's all I can do right now. We still have some time and we'll see how I am tomorrow and past that.”

Welcome Back, Kristaps

With Game 3 a little over 24 hours a day, the Celtics have officially listed Porzingis as ‘QUESTIONABLE' to play in what would be his first game back in Dallas since he was traded in February 2022. His teams since have obviously played in Dallas, but he has not been available for any of those contests.

Now that the series shifts to Dallas, Porzingis joked, “there's some black magic, no? No, I'm joking.

“The first time I came back, I was not playing that game,” said Porzingis. “I was with Washington and I had a warm welcome here. They even did a tribute video, which was very unexpected for me, but that was very nice. I think the organization, the people on the inside appreciated my time here, and that was very nice. Obviously, I have completely no bad feeling about this place. I love this city, love the fans, and it just didn't work out. I definitely don't expect a comeback like I had in New York. But we'll see tomorrow.”

Kristaps Porzingis played 134 games with the Mavericks, averaging 20 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game on 44.8 percent shooting.

Whether or not he is able to make his return to the court in Dallas remains to be seen. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla made sure to reiterate in his media availability that the team has taken the decision out of his hands.

“It is out of his hands,” Mazzulla explained. “It's his job to fight like hell to put himself in the best possible position to feel as good as he can. We're not going to let him compromise himself. That's been it. To say, we need you, do everything you can, but at the end of the day we got your back and make sure we put you in the best position possible.”

So far in the series, Porzingis is averaging 16 points, five rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game against the Mavs.

Game 3 of the NBA Finals will tip off around 8:30PM EST on ABC. Kristaps Porzingis status will be known in the hour leading up to the game.