Kristaps Porzingis. Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics should sit Kristaps Porzingis until next season

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Jun 17, 2024 5:21 PM ET

Kristaps Porzingis has struggled with injury throughout the NBA playoffs. He missed the entire second round and the Eastern Conference Finals. He played in two games of the NBA Finals before suffering a rare leg injury. As the Boston Celtics head into a potential closeout game against the Dallas Mavericks, Porzingis' availability is unknown.

Speaking on Monday's episode of FanDuel TV's Run It Back, insider Shams Charania updated viewers on Porzingis's potential role in Game 5.

"You saw some of his teammates come out and say how much he wants to play," Charania said. "How bad he's working. But, he's just not there from a physical perspective. A very unique injury. Definitely the first of its kind on the NBA level. Kristaps Porzingis has been trying hard to get back on the floor. The expectation around the Celtics is at least he's going to play a similar role that he did in Game 4."

“The expectation around the Celtics - at least, he’s going to play a similar role that he did in Game 4”@ShamsCharania with the latest on Kristaps Porzingis pic.twitter.com/vcrAUi0bet
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) June 17, 2024

Porzingis suited up for Game 4 in Dallas, but did not play. The Celtics are clearly taking a cautious approach with their star center. The reality is that Porzingis gives Boston the best chance of closing out the series and being crowned champions on Monday. He takes Joe Mazzulla's team to a different level on both sides of the floor.

Nevertheless, the coaching staff must consider the long-term implications of asking Porzingis to play through the pain barrier. Boston is 10-2 without Porzingis during the postseason. The Celtics have proven they can win without him.

It's best for Porzingis' career that he sits out in Game 5. He has already helped the Celtics return to the NBA Finals after losing to the Golden State Warriors in 2022. He will be a major part of their roster next season, and Boston could potentially attempt to repeat.

The Celtics will likely be crowned NBA champions. Porzingis has played a significant role in making that happen. Unfortunately for him, his season ended when he suffered his injury in Game 2. If he's smart and disciplined, he will return in time for next season, and that is what's most important for his career.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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