Porzingis shares encouraging update on injury after C’s-Wizards originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
An injury to Kristaps Porzingis put a damper on the Boston Celtics’ 112-98 win over the Washington Wizards on Sunday night.
The Celtics big man went to the locker room during the second quarter and did not return due to what the team described as “right heel soreness.” It’s unclear when Porzingis suffered the injury, but the sight of him limping into the tunnel no doubt made C’s fans feel sick.
However, Porzingis’ postgame comments should give them a breather. He played down the problem and explained that he stayed out of the game as a precaution.
“I hit my heel a little bit in the first quarter,” he told reporters after the game. “Not soon, but sometime in the first quarter. I continued to play. It’s nothing serious, honestly. More like a precaution.”
“In the second (quarter) when it started, it was pretty tender, so I told the medics and they just took me off the game. I don’t think it’s anything major.”
Porzingis was asked if he felt any pain during the previous game.
“I think it happened in this game,” he replied. “One of the post-ups or rebounds or one of the lobs. I don’t even know where. But I’ve had something similar in the past…
“I think I should be fine. We’ve got three, four days. We’ll see.”
While Porzingis and the C’s will benefit from a three-day layoff before hosting the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night, it won’t hurt to give the 7-foot-1 star some time off. Boston is 16-3 without Porzingis this season, and keeping him healthy for the playoffs is the No. 1 priority.
Either way, Porzingis’ explanation is encouraging. If he feels injury-free, it will be difficult for coach Joe Mazzulla to keep him off the floor at TD Garden on Thursday.
Tip-off for Celtics-Bulls is set for 7:30 PM ET Celtics pregame live beginning at 6:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Boston.