Porzingis plans to return for Game 1 of Finals
Boston Celtics big Kristaps Porzingis is aiming to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks after missing 10 games with a calf strain.
Porzingis told The Athletic's Jay King on Tuesday that he doesn't know if he's 100% healthy, but he plans to suit up for the series opener.
The veteran last played in Game 4 of the first round against the Miami Heat on April 29.
He averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 57 games during the regular season, his first with the Celtics since being acquired from the Washington Wizards in a three-team offseason deal. When Porzingis scored at least 25 points in a game, Boston went 10-2; those losses were a four-point defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in January and a three-point November loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Boston swept the Indiana Pacers in the conference finals and will be at nearly full health versus Dallas following a week's worth of rest. The 28-year-old Porzingis is the only entry on the team's injury report.