Kristaps Porzingis injury: Celtics center leaves Game 2 after tweaking leg

BOSTON — Kristaps Porzingis had been a huge boost off the Celtics for two games in the NBA Finals but appeared to suffered a leg injury in the closing moments of Boston’s Game 2 against the Mavericks on Sunday night.

Porzingis appeared to hurt his leg with 6:21 remaining in the fourth quarter after contesting a PJ Washington drive to the hoop. Porzingis remained in the game for the next two minutes but was moving gingerly on both ends of the court. Ultimately, Joe Mazzulla called timeout with 4:40 remaining in the game after Daniel Gafford beat Porzingis up the floor for an open dunk at the rim. Al Horford replaced Porzingis in the game following the timeout and stayed in at center for the remainder of the game.

Porzingis had missed 11 straight games for the Celtics before the NBA Finals after suffering a strained calf against the Heat in the first round. He came off the bench in the first two games of the NBA Finals, posting 12 points and 4 rebounds in Game 2 over 23 minutes before leaving the game in the fourth quarter. Porzingis did say before Game 2 he was dealing with a minutes limit upon his return but his status in this series will be worth watching after his mobility looked limited after the Washington contest.

The Celtics return to action in Game 3 of the NBA Finals in Dallas on Wednesday night and hold a 2-0 lead in the series.