Jaylen Brown Says Celtics ‘Prepare for These Moments’ amid Kristaps Porziņģis’ Injury

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVJune 12, 2024

Adam Glanzman/Getty Images

Kristaps Porziņģis is questionable for Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night due to a left posterior tibialis dislocation, potentially keeping one of the Boston Celtics’ key performers out of the lineup yet again this postseason.

Jaylen Brown isn’t hitting the panic button, however.

“Same old, same old,” he told reporters regarding the team’s approach to potentially being without Porziņģis. “KP has been tremendous for our group, not just in the playoffs, but all season long. It’s obvious: Him on the floor just helps elevate us to a different level. But we’ve been priding ourselves on next-man-up mentality. We prepare for these moments, to be able to play with or without anyone. It just requires somebody else on our team to step up and everybody to buy in to get a full team victory.”

Porziņģis was fantastic in Game 1 after missing both the Eastern Conference Semifinals and Finals due to a calf strain, putting up 20 points, six rebounds and three blocks in the 107-89 blowout win against the Dallas Mavericks.

But in Game 2, he suffered the rare injury in the third quarter, calling into question his status for the rest of the series.

“Yeah, I was going for a rebound at the free throw line,” he told reporters. “Just kind of pushed in [Mavericks center Dereck] Lively’s back, and we bumped knees, and something happened. I just kept playing for a while after that.”

Jeff Stotts @InStreetClothesRe: Porzingis: The medial retinaculum is connective tissue that serves as the roof of the tarsal tunnel (think carpal tunnel but in the foot). It anchors multiple structures in place, including the tendon of the posterior tibialis.

Jeff Stotts @InStreetClothesI only have one real comp in my database but it was in conjunction with other traumatic ankle injuries that required surgery. It will be interesting to see how this is managed but given his injury history there is reason for concern.

Injuries have been a theme throughout Porziņģis’ career, though suffering one now—just two wins away from winning the first title of his career—is hardly ideal.

“I’ve been through some stuff in my career, and obviously this is a rough patch coming back and having something happen right away again,” he told reporters. “It’s tough… just a tough moment right now. But I’m feeling pretty good. I’m feeling pretty good. Mind is good. We’ll see tomorrow.”

It isn’t ideal for Boston either. Porziņģis makes them a matchup nightmare on the offensive end, giving them a floor-spacing big who can shoot from three. But he also provides rim protection on the defensive end.

NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA”[The Celtics’] margin for error has just taken potentially a very big hit.” 😳 @WindhorstESPN on how Kristaps Porzingis’ injury could affect Boston in Game 3. pic.twitter.com/BrNqgtzgYE

The Celtics got past the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers without him, though both teams were missing key players for big chunks of each series. While Luka Dončić has battled injuries of his own in the Finals, the Mavericks are generally a healthier bunch than what Boston has faced up to this point.

With Porziņģis, the Celtics have looked dominant. Without him, claiming those last two wins to clinch a title will be far more difficult.