Kristaps Porzingis' impressive showing in the 2024 NBA Finals has come to a brief halt.
While Boston counted on Porzingis' efforts to get out to a 2-0 series lead, the 7-2 forward was ruled out for Game 3 after suffering a "rare" injury during the second half of the Celtics' Game 2 win.
Despite missing Game 3, Boston took care of business to build a 3-0 lead. Porzingis has not yet been ruled out for any other games in the series.
Here is the latest on the one-time All-Star's status as Boston looks to earn two more wins to capture an NBA title.
MORE: Expert medical analysis on Kristaps Porzingis' "rare" injury
What is Kristaps Porzingis' injury?
Porzingis' injury is a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon, per the Celtics.
As medical expert Dr. Michael S. George explained to The Sporting News, the affected area of Porzingis' left ankle and leg impact his ability to run and jump.
According to the Celtics, Porzingis sustained the injury with under three minutes remaining in the third quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Finals. He remained in the game and played through the injury before undergoing more testing in between games.
Porzingis is averaging 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks while seeing 21.9 minutes per game off the bench in the Finals.
MORE: Why Kristaps Porzingis' 'rare' injury spells bad news for Celtics in Finals
How long is Kristaps Porzingis out?
Porzingis "got better from [Wednesday] to [Thursday] and is fighting hard to play in Game 4," head coach Joe Mazzulla told the media on Thursday. Ahead of Game 4, Mazzulla confirmed Porzingis would be available for "short instances" as Boston looks to close the series out.
Porzingis was ruled out of Game 3 after undergoing tests to determine whether or not he would be able to play. Mazzulla added that Boston's medical team decided Porzingis was not good enough to play.
"There is real concern about Kristaps Porzingis' ability to return in this series," ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said ahead of Game 3. "They're going to monitor him day-to-day here but certainly, real concern about Porzingis' ability to return in these Finals."
NBA Finals schedule 2024
Games 2, 5 and 7 are scheduled to be played at TD Garden in Boston. The series will shift to the American Airlines Center in Dallas for Games 3, 4 and 6.
(1) Celtics vs. (5) Mavericks — Boston leads series 3-0
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| June 6 | Celtics 107, Mavericks 89 | — | — |
| June 9 | Celtics 105, Mavericks 98 | — | — |
| June 12 | Celtics 106, Mavericks 99 | — | — |
| June 14 | Game 4 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
| June 17 | Game 5* | 8:30 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
| June 20 | Game 6* | 8:30 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
| June 23 | Game 7* | 8 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
*If necessary
Kristaps Porzingis 2024 NBA Playoffs stats
- 6 games (4 starts)
- 24.8 minutes per game
- 13.5 points per game
- 5.0 rebounds per game
- 1.3 assists per game
- 1.8 blocks per game
- 0.8 steals per game
- 46.4 percent field goal shooting
- 37.0 percent 3-point shooting
- 95.0 percent free throw shooting