The stage is set for the 2024 NBA Finals. Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics, who have been the best team in the league all year, will take on Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and the Dallas Mavericks in what should be a fantastic series. There are so many storylines revolving around this season's championship, but the one making all the headlines right now focuses on Kristaps Porzingis working his way back from a calf injury.

Porzingis has not played for the Celtics since Game 4 of their first-round series against the Miami Heat as a result of a right soleus strain, the same injury that kept Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined during the playoffs for the Milwaukee Bucks. Due to this injury, Porzingis has missed each of Boston's last 10 games.

Although his status for Game 1 of the NBA Finals remains a mystery, Porzingis was seen on the court practicing and getting shots up on Friday. With the star big man looking good and moving around on the court, head coach Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics are confident that Porzingis will be ready for this series against his former team.

“He’s getting better. He’s out there shooting. Went through a couple of drills in practice,” Mazzulla said on Friday, via Jared Weiss of The Athletic. “So progressing well and I’m confident on where he’s at right now.”

The best news regarding Porzingis and his calf injury is that he doesn't appear to be walking with any limp, and he didn't look limited while shooting from the perimeter on Friday. As of right now, with five more days to rest until the start of the 2024 NBA Finals, it appears as if Porzingis is on pace to make his return at the very start of this championship series.

Kristaps Porzingis is the Celtics' X-factor

Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) celebrates a dunk by center Kristaps Porzingis (8) during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden
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All season, Porzingis has proven to be one of the most influential players on the Celtics' roster as it pertains to winning. When he played in the regular season, the Celtics posted a 43-14 record. While they were 21-4 without him, Porzingis' ability to stretch the floor is what has made Boston's offense so historic.

Over the course of the 82-game regular season, the Celtics made 1,351 threes on 3,482 attempts from the perimeter. Both numbers led the league in their respective categories. This is an area in which Porzingis helped unlock what has been a historic offensive team all season.

However, Porzingis' contributions on defense are just as important. The Latvian big man may not be the best defensive big man in the league, but he commands a presence in the paint, one that opponents oftentimes shy away from. This leads the tough jumpers and wshots away from the rim, making the Celtics a top-tier defensive team.

Against the Mavericks, who are a very skilled two-way team, the Celtics are going to need to continue receiving production from their stars. Yet in the NBA Finals, secondary players push their team over the edge in terms of winning a championship. Porzingis is going to be an X-factor against his former squad, especially when it comes to being able to extend possessions and hit clutch shots from the perimeter.

Porzingis appears to be nearing a return for the Celtics, which only increases their chances of finally breaking through and winning their first title since 2008.