‘Is Kristaps Porzingis playing tonight? is something every Mavs fan is wondering after Mavericks revealed he is suffering from a sore knee.
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The Latvian 7’3″ big man suffered his first career ejection early in the 3rd quarter of Game 1 against the Clippers. His absence was probably the difference between the two teams. The Clippers outscored the Mavs 52-39 in the remainder of the game to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Named to the All-Seeding Games Second Team, Porzingis averaged 30.5 points per game through 6 appearances in Orlando. He was rested for the final two seeding games with a heel injury.
Is Kristaps Porzingis playing tonight?
Kristaps was listed as questionable ahead of Game 1 as well, before making the cut. But his knee soreness seems to have aggravated a little, despite not featuring in the last 2 quarters of Game 1.
He has been moving gingerly according to reports and will be a game time decision tonight.
Porzingis was acquired by the Dallas Mavericks in a midseason trade from the New York Knicks in 2019, having been drafted with the #4 pick in 2015. He was offered a 5-year, $158 million contract extension following his excellent play this past season. Porzingis has season averages of 20.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game.
Also Read: Kristaps Porzingis ejection: Mavericks star ejected vs Clippers; LeBron James doesn’t like it
This is his first time appearing in a playoff series. The 5th-year player is valued for his ability to space the floor, as well as his pick-and-roll play. He is the Mavericks’ main rim protector, although he could do with an improvement in switching out onto the perimeter.
Should Kristaps be ruled as unfit for the game, the Mavericks will have to resort to a one-big lineup. They started Maxi Kleber with Porzingis in Game 1, with Tim Hardaway Jr, Luka and Dorian Finney-Smith rounding out the starting 5. Seth Curry may find himself thrust into a starting role tonight.
