Kristaps Porzingis fought through an injury to help the Boston Celtics close out the NBA Finals on Monday night, and he apparently did so while ignoring advice from medical professionals.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla joined the “Pardon My Take” podcast on Tuesday to discuss his team winning a championship. During the interview, Mazzulla revealed that Porzingis played in Game 5 against the Dallas Mavericks despite doctors telling the 7-foot-2 forward that he should sit out to heal his leg injury.
“It was like, we don’t know how long this series is going to go on for, let’s try to save him from himself because he was trying to play,” Mazzulla said. “So let’s see if we can get through a game or two.
“And then when it was Game 5 at home, it was like, ‘Hey, this might be it. I’ve got to be out there.’ He was like, ‘I’m playing.’ He overrode the medical team and was just like, ‘I’m playing.’ Credit to him.”
Joe Mazzulla said on @PardonMyTake that Kristaps Porzingis "overrode the medical team" to play in Game 5.
"It was like, we don't know how long this series is going to go on for, let's try to save him from himself because he was trying to play. So let's see if we can get through…
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) June 19, 2024
Porzingis missed most of the playoffs with a calf injury but worked his way back for the NBA Finals. After playing a huge role in Game 1, he suffered an unrelated leg injury in Game 2 that the Celtics said is very rare. It is safe to assume Porzingis played through some pain in Game 5, especially when you look at what one of his teammates said.
The Celtics did not need Porzingis to get to the Finals, but there is no question they are better with him on the floor. If Porzingis can stay healthy next year, Boston will have a much better chance of defending their title.
