Kristaps Porzingis is on track to return to Celtics lineup in Game 1 of Finals
“I’m feeling better each day,” Porzingis told reporters Tuesday.
Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis said he plans to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals Thursday.
Porzingis addressed the media Tuesday for the first time since he left Game 4 of the opening-round series against Miami with a calf strain April 29.
“I’m feeling better each day,” he said. “It’s been a long process, I’m not going to lie. It’s been tough to sit out, obviously, but I’ve tried to stay as engaged as I can with the team, and be around the team, and do my work and be with the team.
“We’re here now and I’m feeling much better. I’ve put in a lot of hours to get to this point and I look forward to getting some action on the floor.”
Coach Joe Mazzulla said Porzingis is on pace for a Game 1 return, while adding that the Celtics will monitor how he feels over the next couple of days. Although Porzingis has missed more than a month, Mazzulla doesn’t anticipate much trouble working him back into the lineup.
“He’s been playing basketball for, like, 30 years and he’s been playing in intense situations for his whole life, so I don’t think that will be much of an issue,” Mazzulla said. “Obviously you can’t simulate the speed and the intensity of the game, which I think just comes with a little bit of reps.
“KP is a great player. I think just because you’ve been out for a month doesn’t mean you have to relearn how to play basketball.
“He’s been doing a lot of great things during his career. He’s done a lot of great things for us this season on both ends of the floor with physicality, with intensity, and I expect him to pick right back up where he left off.
“Obviously, there will be a little bit of rust, but just not concerned because of the work that he put in and what he’s done in his career and what he’s done this season for us.”
The Celtics are 10-1 without Porzingis this postseason. While sitting out has been tough, Porzingis said he is encouraged by the way his teammates have fared without him.
“I think it speaks volumes for the whole roster,” he said. “Obviously, throughout the season we had already went through some things. Guys were out, the lineups were changing, and we’ve kind of prepared ourselves for this.
“But seeing the level that Al [Horford] was playing at and other guys that stepped in and had minutes, it just shows the work that they’ve been doing throughout the season is paying off and it’s paying off at the most important moment.”
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