The Dallas Mavericks, ahead of Kristaps Porzingis, will miss the rest of their team’s first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers after being diagnosed with a torn side meniscus in his knee.
The Mavericks noted that Porzingis was injured in the first game on August 17.
Early Friday, head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters that Porzingis is “very questionable” for Sunday’s sixth game. Los Angeles leads the series 3-2 and can advance to the Western Conference semifinals with a victory.
He also faced a heel concussion that limited him to rating games in Orlando, Florida.
It is part of a long history of injuries for the 25-year-old, which includes a torn anterior cruciate ligament that kept him out of the 2018-19 season.
While healthy, Porzingis still has a player effect that averages 20.4 problems, 9.5 rebounds and 2.0 game-consistent blocks in 2019-20. During qualifying games, he averaged 30.5 problems consistent with the game, while proved to be an ideal secondary choice alongside Luka Doncic.
The 2017-18 All-Star is signed for at least the 2022-23 season, giving the Mavs many benefits if they can stay on the field.
However, Dallas has grown accustomed to betting without him and the team will still have to succeed without their most productive option in the advantage zone. Maxi Kleber and Boban Marjanovic are expected to take on more important roles until Porzingis is back in full force.