The NBA Playoffs have been like a warzone with the amount of injuries that occurred. Get the latest updates on players like Kristaps Porzingis and Dereck Lively II below.
DERECK LIVELY II
Talented Mavs rookie Dereck Lively II has been upgraded to questionable for Thursday’s Game 5 against the Timberwolves, after he sustained a neck sprain in Game 3.
The center didn’t participate Tuesday’s Game 4 loss to the Wolves and his physicality on both ends of the floor was missed.
Lively, who earned second-team All-Rookie honors, picked up the injury in Game 3 when Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns accidentally kneed him in the back of the head.
Luka Doncic is also listed as questionable due to a right knee sprain and lingering soreness in his left ankle, though Luka has been listed as questionable multiple times this postseason and is yet to miss a game.
KRISTAPS PORZINGIS
Although Boston have done just fine without Porzingis in the postseason, the franchise will need to be at full strength for the NBA Finals against the Mavericks / Timberwolves.
Porzingis himself seems pretty confident he’ll be making his return from a calf strain for the Finals after posting on X.
“Thank you to everyone who supports and sympathizes throughout the season,” he said in his native language of Latvian. “I’ll be back in line soon. See you in the finals.”
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said on Zolak & Bertrand that Porzingis is “ramping up the intensity level” ahead of the Finals.
NBA insider Shams Charania said Tuesday on Run It Back,” “There’s definitely hope. There’s definitely optimism. There are still some hurdles, I’m told, that he has to clear before he can play in Game 1 of the Finals, but there’s of course hope that this next week-plus will give him the time that needs to ramp up and get ready for that Game 1 next Thursday.”
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