Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis available for Game 5 of NBA Finals

Jun 9, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) reacts after a play against the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter in game two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics listed Kristaps Porzingis as available Monday night for the second straight game as they attempt to close out the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks.

Porzingis, who sustained a left leg injury in Game 2 of the championship series, went through a pregame workout Monday before coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters he "expects to see" Porzingis play during Game 5.

Porzingis, 28, missed Games 3 and 4 with the injury, officially termed a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon.

He was on the brink of returning for Game 4, with Mazzulla saying the Celtics would deploy him only in "specific instances." But he remained sidelined as the Mavericks raced out to a 122-84 beatdown of the Celtics to cut their series deficit to 3-1.

The Celtics have another opportunity to win the title Monday night in Boston.

The 7-foot-3 center also missed Boston's 10 games leading up to the Finals due to a calf strain, but he returned for Games 1 and 2 against Dallas. The new injury has no relation to the calf strain.

In the first two games of the Finals, Porzingis averaged 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks. He played 21 minutes in Game 1 and 23 in Game 2, coming off the bench both times.

Porzingis had averages of 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.9 blocks across 57 games (all starts) during the regular season. Boston acquired the big man in a trade with the Washington Wizards this past offseason.

Porzingis also played for the Mavericks from 2019-22.

--Field Level Media