Paris 2024: Boston Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis out of Olympic Games for Latvia after NBA Finals injury
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Published 26/06/2024 at 09:10 GMT
Kristaps Porzingis will not feature for Latvia at Paris 2024 and will instead go under the surgeon's knife. The Boston Celtics issued a statement regarding the news, confirming that the surgery will be undertaken "in the coming days." Porzingis was part of the Celtics side which secured an NBA Finals win over the Dallas Mavericks.
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Kristaps Porzingis has been ruled out of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games through injury and will undergo surgery.
An Associated Press report claims that Porzingis has suffered a torn retinaculum and a dislocated posterior tibialis tendon – located in the calf and ankle areas – and means he cannot compete for Latvia at the Games.
However, it is understood that this tendon problem is in no way linked to the calf strain which ruled Porzingis out for 10 games from April 29.
The 28-year-old plays as a center for the Boston Celtics, who said in a statement: “The injury doesn’t allow for consistent play at the level required for Olympic competition.
“Surgery will be performed in the coming days, and further updates will be provided when available.”
Porzingis has been hampered by injuries during his career, and in recent weeks was forced to miss the third game of the Celtics' NBA Finals series against the Dallas Mavericks due to a dislocated tendon in his left ankle.
He was unable to feature in the fourth match despite being given clearance to do so, and managed 16 minutes in the fifth.
Despite his injury woes, he still averaged 13.5 points and five rebounds in his opening six postseason games of 2024.
He also managed 20 points, six rebounds and three blocked shots in the NBA Finals series opener against the Mavericks.
A definitive return has not been set, but the Latvian explained he could be ruled out of action for a "few months" in comments made earlier in June.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens says the next steps for the player's recovery are still being cemented, and added in quotes published by ESPN: "Kristaps is still in the middle of consulting with some different doctors and specialists.
"We'll have more of a timeline and recovery after the surgery."
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