By The Boston Celtics have largely forged a path to the 2024 NBA Finals without having to rely on . Porzingis has not played since Game 4 of Boston’s opening-round series against the Heat due to a calf strain, with the going 9-1 over their last 10 games with their big man on the mend. While the Celtics managed to carve a swath through the Eastern Conference without Porzingis, their biggest challenge is still ahead as they aim to topple the Mavericks in the NBA Finals.
Celtics legends Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett discussed Porzingis’ impact on the Celtics and the advantage his likely return to the court will give his team once the Finals tip off on Thursday night. Porzingis, and is on track to make his return in time for Game 1 against Dallas, is not the primary scorer on Boston’s stacked starting five. But the 7-foot-2 center’s ability to knock down 3-pointers, score in the paint, defend the rim, and expand Boston’s offensive capabilities with his post game made him the missing piece on a Celtics team that boasts few weaknesses when healthy.
“I think for him, the beauty about him is he doesn’t have to be the best player,” Pierce said of Porzingis. “Just his presence alone on the defensive end, with his height and his athleticism to block shots, his shooting ability. That’s a presence that makes this offense unlock even more.
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I know he’s not going to be fully 100% (healthy). His presence is everything to unlock that offense and defense.” Porzingis�.
