NBA Player News

Coach Joe Mazzula said Thursday that Porzingis (lower leg) is getting better and "fighting hard" to play in Game 4 on Friday, Jay King of The Athletic reports.

Porzingis didn't play in Game 3 due to a left posterior tibialis dislocation and is in danger of missing the remainder of the NBA Finals. However, if Porzingis is able to suit up, he will provide a big boost to Boston's frontcourt, as he averaged 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 22.0 minutes across the first two games of the series.

Lively finished with 11 points (5-6 FG, 1-1 FT), 13 rebounds, one assist and two steals in 30 minutes during Wednesday's 106-99 loss to Boston in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Lively was limited to just two points in Games 1 and 2, respectively, but he bounced back in this one, and the rookie posted his first double-double since the team's May 18 win over the Thunder in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The rookie was able to make an impact without Kristaps Porzingis (lower leg) on the court, and Lively will aim to be a factor in Game 4 on Friday, where the Mavericks need a win to keep the series alive.

Horford registered eight points (3-6 FG, 2-5 3Pt), five rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals across 37 minutes during Wednesday's 106-99 win over the Mavericks in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Horford plays a secondary role in the Celtics' offensive scheme, though that's not surprising since he shares the court regularly with established superstars such as Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. However, the veteran big man does all the little things contending teams need to win games consistently, and he regularly finds a way to contribute. Though he's not much of a reliable fantasy option at this point of his career, Horford is averaging 7.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game in the current NBA Finals.

Tillman closed with three points (1-1 FG, 1-1 3Pt), four rebounds and two blocks in 11 minutes during Wednesday's 106-99 win over Dallas in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

It was Tillman, not Luke Kornet, who picked up the slack at center due to Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) being out. Coach Joe Mazzulla clearly preferred Tillman switching on Mavericks star Luka Doncic on pick-and-rolls, and the move paid off. Tillman got multiple stops when forced to guard Doncic. Tillman also hit a clutch corner three during a key second-half Boston scoring run. His four boards and two blocks were just what the Celtics needed while managing 38-year-old Al Horford's workload. Tillman and his teammates will look to finish the Finals in Dallas on Friday.

The Celtics have "real doubt" that Porzingis (lower leg) will be able to return to action at any point during the NBA Finals matchup against the Mavericks, Adrian Wojnarowski reported prior to Wednesday's Game 3 on ESPN's NBA Countdown.

Porzingis was initially labeled questionable for Wednesday's game due to a left posterior tibialis dislocation but wasn't cleared by the Celtics' medical staff ahead of the contest. The 28-year-old voiced his willingness to do whatever it took to play leading up to Wednesday's tilt, but he may not be medically cleared to suit up before the series ends. Porzingis had missed 10 straight games before the NBA Finals with a calf strain that's unrelated to his lower leg injury, but he was a key contributor off the bench in the Celtics' Games 1 and 2 wins. Al Horford should continue to start at center while Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman and Oshae Brissett are candidates to see action behind Horford. Porzingis should be viewed as questionable, at best, leading up to Friday's Game 4.

Porzingis has been ruled out for Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks on Wednesday due to a left posterior tibialis dislocation.

Porzingis played through the pain for a couple of minutes after suffering the injury during the third quarter of Game 2 on Sunday and was doing everything he could to suit up for Game 3, but the medical staff is shutting him down for at least one game. When Porzingis was sidelined earlier in the postseason, Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman and Oshae Brissett were part of the rotation at times. However, Al Horford will continue to start at center and should be the biggest beneficiary of Porzingis' absence. Porzingis can be considered day-to-day ahead of Friday's Game 4 in Dallas.

Porzingis (lower leg) is questionable for Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Mavericks on Wednesday, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.

Porzingis was seen walking around with a sleeve on his left ankle during media availability but seemed to be in good spirits, as he has stated he will do everything he can to play in Game 3, Malika Andrews of ESPN.com reports. While the 28-year-old has told reporters he wants to play, it is ultimately up to the Celtics' medical staff to determine whether or not Porzingis will be cleared in time for Wednesday after suffering a torn medial retinaculum in the third quarter of Game 2. Porzingis has missed 10 games this postseason due to an unrelated right calf strain, accumulating 32 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and an assist while shooting 12-for-20 from the field across two games since his return. For now, there is no indication Porzingis will be ruled out for Game 3, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

The Celtics announced Tuesday that Porzingis suffered a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg during the third quarter of Boston's 105-98 win over Dallas in the NBA Finals on Sunday, Marc D'Amico of the team's official site reports. Porzingis is considered day-to-day ahead of Wednesday's Game 3.

The injury Porzingis suffered in Game 2 is unrelated to the calf strain that kept him out for 10 straight postseason games before he returned for the opening game of the NBA Finals. However, his availability for Game 3 is still in doubt. The Celtics will release their official injury report later Tuesday, when further clarity on Porzingis' status will be provided. Porzingis scored 20 points (8-13 FG) in 21 minutes during his return from the 10-game absence in Game 1, and he continued to excel in Game 2 before being taken out, posting 12 points (4-7 FG), four rebounds and two blocks in 23 minutes.

Lively registered two points (1-3 FG) and seven rebounds across 19 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 loss to the Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

Through two Finals games, Lively has totaled just four points, 12 rebounds, one assist and one steal with no blocks and four turnovers. Dallas has tried more Maxi Kleber minutes to combat the Celtics' floor spacing, but the results have been less than stellar. Game 3 will be on the Mavericks' home floor, where Lively is averaging 9.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 blocks in the postseason.

Horford contributed five points (2-4 FG, 1-3 3Pt), seven rebounds, two assists and one steal across 28 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 win over Dallas in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

Horford scored only five points -- his fewest since Game 3 against the Cavaliers -- but it was enough to get the job done against the Mavericks. Though his scoring can be inconsistent, the veteran has grabbed at least five rebounds in nine straight games and recorded at least one defensive stat in eight consecutive games. Now he and the Celtics go on the road for Game 3, with Horford averaging 9.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in road postseason games this season.