Porzingis's status up in air

Rare tendon injury could keep Celtics centre out of Game 3 in Dallas

- STEPHEN HAWKINS

Celtics centre Kristaps Porzingis had 20 points, three blocks and six rebounds in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, and 12 points in 23 minutes of Game 2.

Kristaps Porzingis hasn’t played a game in Dallas since the Mavericks traded him nearly 21⁄2 years ago, and now it is uncertain if he will play there in Game 3 of the NBA Finals for the Boston Celtics.

Porzingis has a rare tendon injury in his lower left leg, which occurred in the third quarter of Boston’s 10598 victory for a 2-0 series lead. The team said Tuesday that he was day-to-day, and Porzingis said he will do everything he can to play Wednesday night.

Asked if it was a pain-tolerance issue or if he could do more damage, Porzingis said he didn’t know the specifics.

“That’s something I’ll leave in the medical staff’s hands to determine whether I can go or not,” he said. “Nothing is going to stop me unless I’m told I’m not to, or not allowed to play. That’s the only reason I would not be out there.”

The seven-foot-two Latvian centre has a tear in tissue that holds tendons in place. The Celtics said it was unrelated to the right calf strain that sidelined him for 10 consecutive playoff games before he returned last Thursday for the start of the NBA Finals.