Joe Mazzulla says Kristaps Porzingis 'overrode' Celtics' doctors in Game 5

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis said after suffering his left leg injury in Game 2 of the NBA Finals that he'd "die out there" on the court if he had to.

Though he missed Games 3 and 4 with the issue, the one-time All-Star returned to action for the team's title-clinching victory over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla revealed on Wednesday that the team's medical staff advised against Porzingis coming back on Monday, but the big man disregarded their words.

"It was like, 'We don’t know how long this series is going to go on for, so let’s save him from himself. He’s trying to play, so let’s see if he can get through a game or two,'" the coach said on the "Pardon My Take" podcast. "It was Game 5 at home, and we thought this might be it so he was like, 'Hey, I gotta be out there.' He was like, 'I’m playing.' He overrode the medical team there…it’s a credit to him."

This isn't the first time a professional athlete has convinced his or her team's doctors to let them play in a big game, but the toughness from Porzingis is still impressive.

The former No. 4 overall pick originally went down with a right calf injury during Game 4 of Boston's first-round series against the Miami Heat. Porzingis was sidelined for over a month, covering 10 games and including the entire second and third rounds against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers, respectively.

He was huge in his return during Game 1 against Dallas, scoring 20 points off the bench on 8-for-13 shooting with six rebounds and three blocks in just 21 minutes. Porzingis was efficient again in Game 2, going 4-for-7 for 12 points and adding four rebounds and two blocks.

The 2015 lottery selection finished with five points on 2-for-4 shooting and one rebound in 16 minutes during Monday's clincher. It was reported after Game 5 that Porzingis would undergo surgery on his left leg.

"He had a serious, serious injury," Mazzulla said. "He worked his a-- off to get back, and what he brought for us in Game 5 was unbelievable and really led to winning. We have a guy that — in his career — has been through a lot, and sacrificed a lot. You want him to be a part of it."