DALLAS — Boston Celtics star center Kristaps Porzingis suffered a “rare” injury in Game 2 of the NBA Finals that could sideline him again, the team announced Tuesday.
Porzingis suffered a torn medial retinaculum, allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg, in the third quarter of Boston’s 105-98 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night, Coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed during an afternoon news conference.
“After consultation with numerous specialists regarding this rare injury, his availability for upcoming games will be determined day-to-day,” a statement issued by the Celtics read.
Mazzulla added, “He’s doing anything and everything he can to be ready for the game tomorrow. It’s a serious injury...We’ve taken the decision to play out of his hands because of the importance of him.”
Dallas Mavericks (88) Vs. Boston Celtics (106) At TD Garden (2024 NBA Finals, Game 5) Boston, MA - June 17: Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis celebrates in the locker room after Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) (Boston Globe/Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Dallas Mavericks (88) Vs. Boston Celtics (106) At TD Garden (2024 NBA Finals, Game 5) Boston, MA - June 17: Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis works out before Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) (Boston Globe/Boston Globe via Getty Images)
NBA Championship Parade Basketball Boston Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis celebrates with fans during team's NBA basketball championship duck boat parade Friday, June 21, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) (Michael Dwyer/AP)
2024 NBA Finals - Game Five BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics celebrate with his teammates in the locker room after Boston's 106-88 win against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
NBA Championship Parade Basketball Boston Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis, center wearing the Celtics medallion, gestures to fans along the NBA championship team's duck boat parade Friday, June 21, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) (Michael Dwyer/AP)
Boston Celtics Victory Event & Parade BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 21: Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics wears the "Celtics Title Belt during the Boston Celtics Victory Parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win at TD Garden on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, center, raises his arm as he celebrates with teammates near the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after the Celtics won the NBA championship with a Game 5 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa/AP)
2024 NBA Finals - Game Five BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Kristaps Porzingis #8 and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrate with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy in the locker room after Boston's 106-88 win against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
2024 NBA Finals - Game Five BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics celebrate in the locker room after Boston's 106-88 win against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
2024 NBA Finals - Game Five BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics celebrate with his teammates in the locker room after Boston's 106-88 win against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
2024 NBA Finals - Game Five BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Kristaps Porzingis #8 and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrate with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy in the locker room after Boston's 106-88 win against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
2024 NBA Finals - Game Five BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Kristaps Porzingis #8 and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrate in the locker room after Boston's 106-88 win against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
NBA Finals Basketball Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots at the basket as Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) defends during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa/AP)
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis looks to pass while defended by Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the second half of Game 2 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) waits to drive against Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic during Game 1 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa/AP)
2024 NBA Finals - Game Two BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 09: Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 09, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
2024 NBA Finals - Game One BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 06: Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game One of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 06, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
NBA Finals Basketball Boston Celtics' Derrick White (9), Kristaps Porzingis (8) and Jayson Tatum (0) block a shot by Dallas Mavericks' Derrick Jones Jr. (55) during the second half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Boston.(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) (Michael Dwyer/AP)
NBA Finals Basketball Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) shoots over Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during the second half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa/AP)
NBA Finals Basketball Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, right, blocks a shot by Dallas Mavericks forward Derrick Jones Jr. during the second half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa/AP)
NBA Finals Basketball Boston Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis (8) blocks a shot by Dallas Mavericks' Maxi Kleber (42) during the first half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Boston.(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) (Michael Dwyer/AP)
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, center, celebrates with fans after the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa/AP)
NBA Finals Basketball Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, right, drives toward the basket as Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, left, and guard Jaylen Brown, center, defend during the second half of Game 1 of the NBA Basketball Finals, Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa/AP)
2024 NBA Finals - Game One BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 06: Derrick Jones Jr. #55 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball against Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in Game One of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 06, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
NBA Finals Basketball Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) celebrates a 3-pointer, near Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) during the first half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa/AP)
APTOPIX NBA Finals Basketball Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis dunks next to Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II, foreground, during the first half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa/AP)
NBA Finals Basketball Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis heads to the court while wearing a warmup shirt honoring basketball great Bill Walton before Game 1 of the basketball team's NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) (Michael Dwyer/AP)
Boston Celtics (105) Vs. Indiana Pacers (102) At Gainbridge Fieldhouse Indianapolis, IN - May 27: Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis gives the thumbs up during a timeout in the first quarter of Game 4 of the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) (Boston Globe/Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors v Boston Celtics BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 03: Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics laughs with Oshae Brissett #12 during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at TD Garden on March 03, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
NBA: Sacramento Kings at Boston Celtics Apr 5, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) warms up before a game against the Sacramento Kings at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports (Eric Canha/USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
Boston Celtics (106) Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (93) At Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Cleveland, OH - May 11: Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis throws the ball back onto the court from the bench in the first half. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) (Boston Globe/Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Boston Celtics v Miami Heat - Game Four MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 29: Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics leaves the game against the Miami Heat during the second quarter after suffering an apparent injury in game four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Kaseya Center on April 29, 2024 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) during Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa/AP)
When asked after Game 2 how difficult it was to play through the injury, Porzingis told the media, “Not difficult at all...I’ll die out there if we need.”
The posterior tibialis tendon is a strong cord of tissue that connects the calf muscle to the bones in the arch of the foot.
Porzingis returned to the lineup in time for Game 1 of the Finals after being sidelined since leaving a game in Boston’s opening-round playoff series against the Miami Heat with a calf injury.
In Game 1, Porzingis provided a major scoring punch — 20 points in 21 minutes of action — that jumpstarted the Celtics’ blowout win over Dallas.
The Celtics are now looking to take a 3-0 series lead with a win on Wednesday night in Dallas.
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