On Thursday night at the Kaseya Center, the Boston Celtics delivered one of their most impressive performances this season. In their 143-110 thrashing of the Miami Heat, they generated the second-most efficient shooting performance in NBA history, producing an 80.5 percent true shooting percentage, per Stat Muse.
The only time the visitors trailed was when Terry Rozier scored on the hosts’ first possession, a bucket immediately matched by Derrick White. The only blemish came less than five minutes into the third quarter when Kristaps Porzingis lunged to contest a Bam Adebayo baseline attempt near the basket. The seven-foot-three center landed on the latter’s foot and rolled his ankle.
But not long after limping off the court and getting helped down the tunnel by the Celtics’ training staff, the Latvian native returned to Boston’s bench. He appeared in good spirits, even pretending to box with Jaylen Brown during a timeout. The fact that the former All-Star spoke with the media after the victory was another encouraging sign, validated by the positive update he gave.
However, it’s unlikely he will suit up for Saturday’s contest against the Los Angeles Clippers at TD Garden. The Celtics initially listed him on their injury report as doubtful due to a left ankle sprain.
But while it’s a safe bet he’s downgraded to inactive, the team not doing so yet appears to be a positive sign for how his ankle is doing a day later and after flying back to Boston, with factors such as decreased mobility, prolonged sitting, and cabin pressure changes potentially aggravating pain and swelling. Porzingis said he hopes to be on a day-to-day timeline, and the latest team-issued update appears to bode well for that happening.
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