Kristaps Porzingis’ injury nearly became the biggest nightmare from last Saturday’s loss to the Grizzlies. Sam Hauser also fell with an adductor strain that night while Jrue Holiday’s shooting struggles dominated the headlines following a rare Celtics loss. A major second quarter scare, Porzingis turning the same left ankle he underwent surgery on in June, would’ve become the story of the night if he couldn’t return to only his fifth game back.
Instead, he returned for the third quarter as a major component of the offense. He finished with 19 points and followed that up with 19 more against Detroit on Thursday, feeling no ill effects after a four-day gap between both games.