Boston Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis has been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. He will engage in a four-to-six-week rehab program and is expected to be cleared for the start of training camp. NBA reporters Jay King and Josh Robbins of The Athletic reported that the Celtics aren’t overly concerned with Porzingis’ injury.
“Though the 7-foot-3 sharpshooter indicated he’s not fully ready for competition at this point and determined it was necessary to continue the recovery process, a Celtics source reached later Tuesday downplayed any concern over the issue,” King and Robbins wrote in their latest NBA column. “The source was granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.”
The Celtics acquired Porzingis from the Washington Wizards in a three-team trade with the Memphis Grizzlies. Although Boston had to part ways with Marcus Smart, the team did trade for a player who leads the NBA in active games with three-plus 3-pointers and three-plus blocks.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Boston Celtics & Kristaps Porzingis Updates
Porzingis averaged 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 blocks for the Wizards in 2022-23. He shot 49.8% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 85.1% from the free-throw line. The All-Star forward has career NBA averages of 19.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.8 blocks with the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Wizards.
There should be more driving lanes for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown next season since Porzingis can space the floor with his shooting. When Porzingis goes beyond the 3-point line, he will bring his defender with him, which will create more room in the paint for Tatum and Brown.
An anonymous member of the Celtics told NBA writer Keith Smith of Spotrac that the franchise traded Smart and Grant Williams and acquired Porzingis to “become a different kind of team.” Boston traded Smart to the Grizzlies and Williams to the Mavericks.
“We’re going to miss Marcus,” the anonymous member of the Celtics said. “We’re going to miss Grant. But we had to become a different kind of team. Getting KP is huge for us. Literally and figuratively. He’s going to make a massive difference for our offense. And he’s come a long way with his defense too.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Boston Celtics & Kristaps Porzingis Updates
The Celtics lost to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals in seven games. It will be fascinating to see how many games Boston wins next season.
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