What is Kristaps Porzingis’ ‘freak’ injury?

Porzingis is suffering from an injury that an incredibly small number of people have ever experienced.

José Ignacio PinillaAS_JipinillaJoe Brennanj4brennanUpdate: Jun 12th, 2024 14:47 EDT0

Maddie MeyerUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

After two Celtics wins, the NBA Finals move to Dallas. It is a vital game for the Mavericks who have Luka Doncic, their star, wrapped up in cotton wool. The point guard is receiving both injections and painkillers over recent days in order to alleviate a chest bruise that has hampered his ability to move at ease. It is one of three injuries the Slovenian has suffered across these games.

Doncic is not the only relevant player with some sort of physical issue. On the Celtics roster, Kristaps Porzingis has, according to his franchise, a “freak injury”: a torn medial patellar retinaculum affecting the posterior tibial tendon in his left leg. It is a rare ailment that has only 32 documented cases in the English-language medical literature from 2006 He is currently listed as ‘doubtful’ for the third game.

They are not kidding when they called Porzingis' injury rare: A 2006 study said there were just 32 documented cases of a dislocated posterior tibial tendon in all of English literature. https://t.co/iPK5uFm7IQ

— Tom Westerholm (@Tom_NBA) June 11, 2024

Porzingis on his “tough, tough time” with injuries

The Latvian power forward was injured in the third quarter of Game 2 in Boston. “I felt something and now I have to deal with it,” he said in remarks picked up by ESPN, “obviously, I’ll do everything I can to play.” The player, a starter in all 57 regular-season games he has played this season for the Celtics, has come off the bench in both of these Finals in a battle for the ring.

“I don’t care,” Porzingis assured when asked about whether he thinks about his injuries. “I’ve been through some things in my career and, obviously, this is a rough patch. It’s tough … it’s just, it’s a tough time.”

The former CB Sevilla player had a huge impact in the Finals opener. He scored 11 of his 20 points in the first quarter against the Mavs. In the second, he scored 12. “He’s doing everything he can to be ready to play,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “It’s a serious injury. Our medical team won’t put him in any bad situation.” On his chances of participating, the coach said, “We’re going to leave it up to the doctors.”

When is Game 3 of the NBA Finals?

Wednesday 12 June, 8:30 p.m. ET

Full screen

Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (left) and center Kristaps Porzingis (right) block P.J. Washington.Peter CaseyUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con