Kristaps Porzingis, dual power forward and center for the Boston Celtics, missed almost half of Friday’s game against the Orlando Magic at the AT&T Center. The Latvian athlete exited during the third quarter with 6:44 minutes remaining due to calf tightness and did not return.
Despite leading by double digits, the Celtics later succumbed to a second-half collapse, resulting in a 17-point loss. With the absence of Porzingis, who contributed nine points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals in 22 minutes, the Magic handed the Celtics their largest loss of the season at 113-96.
Postgame, Porzingis informed NBA reporter Gary Washburn that he planned to undergo an MRI on Saturday upon the team’s return to Boston. Washburn further reported that Porzingis “doesn’t think the injury is too serious.”
While running, Porzingis sensed a tweak but assured there was no slip on the court during the game on November 24. This gains significance as concerns about court traction on the new tournament courts linger.
Porzingis’ injury history and concern
The challenging matchup against the Magic followed the Celtics’ standout win against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 22. On top of losing Porzingis in the third quarter, the team has also been missing Jrue Holiday due to an ankle sprain.
Although no immediate signs suggest severity, any mention of Porzingis on the injury list sparks concern. With a history of multiple major knee problems, including a torn ACL and meniscus, he has only appeared in 60 games once since 2017.
The Latvian has grappled with injuries, not exceeding 65 games in a single season since 2016-17. Regardless of the injury’s severity, it would be prudent for the Celtics to sideline him temporarily, ensuring his calf receives ample rest for a full recovery.
Despite playing in nearly every game this season, Porzingis faced plantar fasciitis over the summer, causing him to miss the FIBA World Cup. Preserving Porzingis’ health is a top priority for the Celtics, who heavily depend on him. As a center excelling in rim protection and floor spacing, he puts up a plus-10.2 net rating this season.
Should Porzingis be sidelined, the Dominican-Bahamian athlete Al Horford will step into the starting lineup. Former Vanderbilt player Luke Kornet, the only other true center with substantial playing time, also adds to the Celtics’ options.
Second-half struggles
The Celtics had a strong start with a 30-19 lead after the first quarter, raising the score to 56-48 at halftime. However, they collapsed offensively in the second half of the game, squandering double-digit leads.
Celtics’ small forward Jayson Tatum’s 26 points could not salvage the game as the team faltered. The team missed seven consecutive shots, allowing the Magic a 17-0 run and ultimately succumbing to an 8-0 run in the fourth. Magic’s center and power forward Mo Wagner scored a career-high 27 points off the bench, which fueled the win.
The Celtics, scoring only 40 points in the second half, witnessed their shooting guard Jaylen Brown’s sharpness decline. After a promising start, Brown went 1-for-14 in the second half, including several missed layups.
While the loss cost the Celtics a chance to secure a berth in the In-Season Tournament’s quarterfinals, Coach Joe Mazzulla is more concerned about the team’s troubling trends displayed in Orlando.
Despite the potential setback with Orlando’s loss, the Celtics still lead the Eastern Conference with a 12-4 record. They will return to action against the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden on Sunday.