BOSTON — Kristaps Porzingis missed most of the Boston Celtics’ 2024 NBA Playoff run with a calf strain that he endured in Game 4 of the first round. He returned for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, only to suffer a rare foot injury—a torn medial retinaculum. Though he made a cameo in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, he had to have offseason surgery and will be out until around December.
Now, the Celtics will have to figure out life without the Latvian big man, and Al Horford being 38 only adds to the layers of potential change. That leaves Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman, and Neemias Queta to fill in the gaps.
And Joe Mazzulla is confident in their ability to do so.
Celtics ready for life without Kristaps Porzingis
During his pre-game media session, Mazzulla spoke about the team’s game plan with Porzingis sidelined. He referenced Boston’s ability to play different brands of basketball.
“I think that's kind of one of the strengths of the team, is our ability to play with different lineups,” Mazzulla said. “And everyone's ready to play. So obviously, we'd love to have him, but we don't. And with that, we just continue to work the lineups that we have and work the versatility that we have until he gets back, and then he'll make us even more versatile.”
Kornet started in both of the Celtics’ preseason games against the Denver Nuggets in Abu Dhabi, as Horford did not play. He looked very comfortable with the starting group, working well out of the short roll and setting nice screens.
Tillman’s versatility was on full display in Abu Dhabi. His three-point shot looked great, and he even flashed some of his playmaking skills.
The 25-year-old looked impressive in the NBA Finals last season, as Mazzulla threw him into the fire when Porzingis went down. He nailed a big-time three in the corner in Game 3 and played a huge role in slowing down Luka Doncic.
Queta was the least impressive of the three backup bigs in Abu Dhabi, but he’s oozing with potential. The Portuguese big man needs to work on staying out of foul trouble, but his athleticism and shot-blocking are real NBA tools.
Boston also has Anton Watson, who they selected in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft, but he’s on a two-way contract and will likely spend most of the year in Maine.
Nobody in the Celtics’ lineup can replace what Porzingis brings to the table, and Boston will be eager to get him back, but Mazzulla is confident in their ability to be fine without him.