Porzingis to come back into play for Game 1 vs Dallas

Boston Celtics may enter the NBA Finals even stronger thanks to the possible return of Kristaps Porzingis for Game 1.

Porzingis has been sidelined for over a month due to a calf injury he suffered during the games against Miami Heat. But despite the lengthy layoff, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said he thinks his third-leading regular season scorer will be able to easily reenter the lineup as he has not lost much of his form.

“You use him effectively because he is a great player and he’s done a lot of great things for us,” Mazzulla said. “When KP is at his best, he’s been tremendous for us and we expect that from him and we know he’ll give that to us.”

“KP is one of our best scorers,” said Celtics guard Jrue Holiday. “He’s one of our best rim protectors and I feel like we’re all mature enough to get back in the groove or have him fit right back in whenever he comes back.”

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Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis (calf) has completed multiple scrimmages in recent days and is expected to return to action for Game 1 of the NBA Finals vs. Dallas on Thursday night barring setback, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Porzingis has been sidelined since April 29. pic.twitter.com/3kdyvJQyqt

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 4, 2024

According to NBA insider Shams Charania, Porzingis has completed multiple scrimmages in recent days and is expected to return to action for Game 1 of the NBA Finals vs. Dallas on Thursday night to play his first game since April 29.