Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis expected to play in NBA Finals Game 5

BOSTON – Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis will play in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday, despite a rare left-leg injury.

Before tip, coach Joe Mazulla said there was no minutes restriction for Porzingis, who sustained a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in Boston’s 105-98 victory against Dallas in Game 2 on June 9.

He missed Game 3 and Game 4 in Dallas, and on Sunday, Mazzulla said, “I haven't talked to him yet. … I'm not sure kind of where he's at. But he's trying and doing everything he can to try to put himself in position to be out there. I know that for sure.”

Celtics reserve forward Xavier Tillman, who has received playing time in Porzingis’ absence, said, “He’s doing some stuff but you can tell he’s very uncomfortable.”

When Porzingis last spoke with reporters, he said he was doing everything he could to get back on the court in the Finals, which the Celtics lead 3-1. Game 5 is Monday (8:30 p.m. ET).

Before Game 4, Mazzulla said Porzingis is “not quite there, but we're going to make him available. But we're only going to use him in very specific instances if necessary.”

Mazzulla declined to elaborate on what those specific instances are. But it could be anything from putting him in to defend an inbounds pass to letting him check in late in the game if the Celtics are leading so he can say he played in the clinching contest.

Certified athletic trainer Jeff Stotts, who maintains a comprehensive database of NBA injuries, posted on social media that he has just one other incident of a similar injury in his database.

“If the retinaculum is torn, the tendon can slip out of place, causing pain and instability of the ankle and foot,” Stotts posted.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kristaps Porzingis expected to play for Celtics in NBA Finals Game 5