Boston’s recent signing Kristaps Porzingis is said to be dealing with an injury that could keep him out of the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
The Celtics will reportedly have a major say in whether the big man will participate in the tournament with Latvia, Rupert Fabig of Hamburger Abendblatt reports.
“Exclusive: According to my information, there are growing concerns that Latvia star Kristaps #Porzingis might miss the #FIBAWC due to injury,” Fabig tweeted. “Understood it is something with his foot. Staff, himself and Boston #Celtics will wait until the last moment to make a decision.”
However, when a fan on twitter questioned Fabig’s tweet he clarified further by replying with, “Understood it’s at least nothing too serious because they are still discussing the option of him playing the World Cup.”
This is semi-good news at least for C’s fans, because they definitely wouldn’t want a repeat of what happened to Danilo Gallinari.
Gallinari his left ACL while playing for Italy during a FIBA World Cup qualifier in September of 2022, which caused him to miss the entire 2022-23 season.
Earlier in the summer, Porzingis was part of a blockbuster three-team trade and has since agreed to a two-year contract extension reportedly worth about $60 million.
The 7-foot-3 center hasn’t had the easiest of careers due to injury troubles and has been to three different teams since 2019 when he was traded to Dallas from New York.
But the Celtics represent a new start for the almost-28-year-old, who is coming off arguably the best season of his career where he averaged 23.2 points per game, 8.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks with the Wizards.
The Unicorn can now help Boston chase a championship and if he is near the same production levels as last season, could enter into his first All-Star lineup since 2018 or even enter the All-NBA First team conversation.