Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Celtics have advanced to the 2024 NBA Finals after dispatching the Indiana Pacers in a four-game sweep. They’ll now wait to see if the Dallas Mavericks can complete a sweep of their own in the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Celtics are also waiting to see if big man Kristaps Porzingis will be ready to go for Game 1 of the championship series. Porzingis has been sidelined with a calf injury since getting injured during Game 4 of the Celtics’ series versus the Miami Heat.
However, according to a recent report, it looks like there is optimism that the versatile big will be able to suit up for Game 1. One aspect that helps Porzingis’ chances of playing in that first game is that regardless of what happens in the Western Conference Finals, the 2024 NBA Finals are not slated to begin until next Thursday.
“There’s definitely optimism,” NBA insider Shams Charania said about Porzingis potentially returning for Game 1. “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 he needs to ramp up and get ready for that Game 1 next Thursday.”
Porzingis averaged 20.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game during the 2023-24 regular season.
Him returning to the floor would be huge for the Celtics, as the Mavericks figure to be the toughest test for the Eastern Conference champs. The Celtics had an unusually easy run to the Finals this season. Every team they have faced in the playoffs so far has been without a star player in multiple games within the series.
It is still impressive that the Celtics have managed to advance through the Eastern Conference, but there is little doubt that the Mavericks would be the most star-powered team they’ve faced. That is, as long as Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving can stay healthy.
Surely, as Game 1 of the Finals approaches, more stories will come out regarding whether or not Porzingis is ready to go. He surely would love to get back on the court and get to compete against his former team for the league’s greatest prize.
Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals is Tuesday night, and the Mavs will look to close out the series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. It’s very possible that the table will be set for the 2024 NBA Finals by Tuesday night. After that, all NBA fans will have to do is wait.
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