Porzingis injury updates (Update: Dislocated Tendon)

[Phantom255x]

I also think KP should come off the bench, because that'd be such a weapon to have a guy like Porzingis coming off the bench and playing against mostly Dallas' 2nd unit. That doesn't mean he can't finish games, but it could also help to keep his minutes a little down if they are worried about reinjury risk. Maybe around 20-25 minutes a game?

[Vermont Green]

I don't really care who starts but I see no reason not to start Porzingis.  He was the starter all season.  What reason is there to change that?  You can still manage Porzingis's minutes any way you want whether he starts or not.

To me, the bigger question is what line up do you close the game with.  In the regular season, in the 4th quarter, Porzingis was on the floor with starters for 103 minutes and was +39.  Horford was on the floor with starters for 79 minutes for -13.  To me, it was pretty clear that Porzingis was the better option over Horford.  That may not still be the case if Porzingis is not 100%.

The other scenario of course is that Horford and Porzingis were on the floor together in the 4th quarter for a total of 90 minutes and were +2 (again, 4th Qtr only).  My guess is that most of that was not at the end of close games, but I don't know to sort for that.

So if we are in a close game, who do you put out there for the final 4 or 5 minutes?  Horford?  Porzingis?  Both?

Having 6 starters is a nice problem to have.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

You know if they lose Game 1, the narrative in sports media is going to be "Did KP's return screw up team chemistry?" or something along those lines.

I honestly think KP should come off the bench. He’s been out a while and will likely be rusty.

that might be the best choice honestly. up to joe!

[hwangjini_1]

I don't really care who starts but I see no reason not to start Porzingis.  He was the starter all season.  What reason is there to change that?  You can still manage Porzingis's minutes any way you want whether he starts or not.

To me, the bigger question is what line up do you close the game with.  In the regular season, in the 4th quarter, Porzingis was on the floor with starters for 103 minutes and was +39.  Horford was on the floor with starters for 79 minutes for -13.  To me, it was pretty clear that Porzingis was the better option over Horford.  That may not still be the case if Porzingis is not 100%.

The other scenario of course is that Horford and Porzingis were on the floor together in the 4th quarter for a total of 90 minutes and were +2 (again, 4th Qtr only).  My guess is that most of that was not at the end of close games, but I don't know to sort for that.

So if we are in a close game, who do you put out there for the final 4 or 5 minutes?  Horford?  Porzingis?  Both?

Having 6 starters is a nice problem to have.

of course the easy solution is simply go into the fourth quarter leading by 20+ points. then you don't have to worry about this.

I hope this is the strategy mazzula adopts.

[Muzzy66]

I think starting Porzingis is a no brainer if he is good to go, and I'm expecting that's what Joe will do.

All season Porzingis has started at center.  That group is used to playing together because they have done so all season long, and it's also the most effective lineup. 

It makes absolutely zero sense to me to suddenly start experimenting with bringing Porzingis off the bench with the second unit and then having those guys try to adjust to playing together while in the NBA finals when the stakes are at their highest.

Porzingis should play the first 5 minutes and the last 5 minutes.   If they need to restrict his minutes, there are 38 other minutes of game time in between where they can rest him as needed. 

[President Red]

Not exactly an update, but this was posted by an official account a little after 11 pm:

https://x.com/celtics/status/1796378571075674221

[GreenEnvy]

If he’s rusty, wouldn’t it make sense to put him out there with Tatum/Brown/Holiday/White than Pritchard and Hauser?

The only reason to not start him is to get the crowd into a frenzy when he checks in (assuming it’s at home in the first two games), but really he should start and I think he will.

[CelticSooner]

Not exactly an update, but this was posted by an official account a little after 11 pm:

https://x.com/celtics/status/1796378571075674221

That is a scary amount of talent lol

[SHAQATTACK]

Not exactly an update, but this was posted by an official account a little after 11 pm:

https://x.com/celtics/status/1796378571075674221

That is a scary amount of talent lol

Wow …cool pic…..if I was 18 again , I d have that as a poster in my dorm room.

[wdleehi]

If he’s rusty, wouldn’t it make sense to put him out there with Tatum/Brown/Holiday/White than Pritchard and Hauser?

The only reason to not start him is to get the crowd into a frenzy when he checks in (assuming it’s at home in the first two games), but really he should start and I think he will.

Probably also easier to get him in there with a proper warmup on his leg. 

[Donoghus]

This looks promising

https://x.com/taylorcsnow/status/1796582798217838864?s=46&t=cFAQIuWEg12FaJRo2itehw

[liam]

This looks promising

https://x.com/taylorcsnow/status/1796582798217838864?s=46&t=cFAQIuWEg12FaJRo2itehw

He looks ready to go....

[Vermont Green]

This looks promising

https://x.com/taylorcsnow/status/1796582798217838864?s=46&t=cFAQIuWEg12FaJRo2itehw

He looks ready to go....

I get a kick out of how many people are standing around watching one guy take shots.

[celticinorlando]

Smooth stroke looking good.

Great news is they still have 5 more days to get things going for him.

[Birdman]

Looking good but like see him running