Kristaps Porzingis Injury Woes Continue
Kristaps Porzingis, who plays both power forward and center positions for the Dallas Mavericks, had to exit third-quarter before the 115-110-point win over the L.A. Lakers, due to a sprained ankle. While attempting to go up for an offensive rebound in the third-quarter, Porzingis rolled his ankle. Casey Smith, director of player health and evaluation for the Mavericks, opposed of Porzingis returning to the game during timeout and insisted he receive additional medical evaluation back in the locker room.
Coach for the Dallas Mav’s, Rick Carlisle, was quoted saying after the win, that he was, “uncertain as to the severity,” in regards to Porzingis’s injury. The Mavericks definitely have high hopes that the injury won’t hinder him from playing the remainder of the season. And now that the Mavericks are currently sixth place in the Western Conference standings, tied with the Portland Trail Blazers, it is completely up-in-the-air what Saturday will for both Dallas, and Porzingis’s ankle.
The silver lining is that, at least as it stands now, he is walking and reportedly doesn’t need any boot for protection. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Porzingis has injured himself on the court. He missed the first 9 games of this season, due to a last offseason meniscus tear in his right knee. Back in February 2018, his left knee required a surgery to mend a torn ACL. Because of his past surgeries, the Mavericks have remained mindful when playing Porzingis in back-to-back games on both ends of the court.
image credit – Sportsnet.com
Porzingis has been on and off the court all season for the Dallas Mavericks
This season Porzingis has averaged 9.3 rebounds and 24 points, in a total of 39 games. Before having to exit the Lakers game, he managed to accumulate 6 rebounds and 19 points, in just 29 minutes. Sadly, we’re sure this season has felt a bit like déjà vu, for not only the Mavericks, but Porzingis himself. The unpredictability of these injuries, have caused him to be on-and-off the lineup, for the entire year. A wrist injury also prevented him from playing two games, not even a month ago, at the beginning of April.
We don’t know how long Porzingis will end up on the sidelines this time around. But, one thing we do know, is how tired he must be from consistently paying it a visit. With an upcoming playoff spot on the line, it seems the Mavericks will have to fend without one of their key players.
You can expect coach Carlisle to utilize players such as, Nicolo Melli, Maxi Kleber, Willie Cauley-Stein and Boban Marjanovic in the midst of Porzingis’s healing process.
