Dallas Mavericks big man Kristaps Porzingis left Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers in the third quarter with a left ankle sprain.
The Mavs hope that’s the only amount of time Porzingis will miss.
The seven-foot-three forward/center from Latvia rolled his ankle hard after jumping for a rebound alongside Andre Drummond.
Porzingis immediately fell to the ground in pain.
KP rolls his ankle pic.twitter.com/7h9w3KfNrU
— Isaac Harris (@IsaacLHarris) April 23, 2021
The 25-year-old eventually got up and walked under his own power back to the locker room.
However, the Mavs shortly after announced that he would not return to the game.
Porzingis’ night ended with 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting with six rebounds.
The loss of the big man did not stop the Dallas Mavericks from beating the Lakers 115-110.
Mavs star Luka Doncic came to play with 30 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.
Good news did come out of the Mavs locker room after the game with the report of Porzingis still walking, and there was a chance he would play in the rematch against the Lakers on Saturday.
Rick Carlisle said Kristaps Porzingis rolled his left ankle and has not been ruled out for Saturday, but unsure about the severity. KP is walking. Not in a boot at this point.
— Eddie Sefko (@ESefko) April 23, 2021
With their victory last night, Dallas now sits tied for the sixth seed in the Western Conference with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Seeds seven through 10 will have to participate in the play-in tournament.
With Kristaps Porzingis potentially not having to miss time, the Mavs can now get all the help they’ll need to avoid the dreaded play-in scenario.