Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić had a pain-killing injection forward of Recreation 2 of the NBA Finals towards the Boston Celtics to handle his thoracic contusion, ESPN reported Tuesday.
He is anticipated to wish one other forward of Recreation 3, per the report. The Celtics and Mavericks are scheduled to play Recreation 3 in Dallas on Wednesday. The Celtics have a 2-0 sequence lead after sweeping the primary two video games in Boston.
“I really feel good,” Dončić told reporters Tuesday. “I don’t need to give any extra particulars, however I really feel good.”
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd stated Sunday that Dončić suffered the chest bruise someday throughout Recreation 1 whereas both taking a cost or diving for a unfastened ball.
Dončić has been enjoying by way of ankle and knee accidents all through the playoffs. He was downgraded from possible to questionable forward of Sunday’s Recreation 2 with the addition of the thoracic contusion to his standing. He was cleared to play after pregame warmups.
Dončić initially appeared unaffected by the harm whereas posting 23 factors within the first half of Recreation 2. He slowed down within the second half and completed the sport with 32 factors, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. He additionally turned the ball over eight instances and struggled to remain in entrance of Boston ball-handlers on protection.
The Celtics blew open a 54-51 halftime result in double digits earlier than warding off a late Dallas rally within the 105-98 Recreation 2 win.
The Celtics, in the meantime, introduced Tuesday that Kristaps Porzingis has a “torn medial retinaculum permitting dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon” in his left leg and is day-to-day forward of Recreation 3. Porzingis sustained the leg harm in Recreation 2. The Celtics famous that the harm isn’t associated to a calf harm that sidelined him for 10 earlier playoff video games and described it as “uncommon.”
Porzingis was notably hobbled after the harm, which impacts his left ankle. He tallied 12 factors and 4 rebounds whereas enjoying in restricted second-half motion. He stated Tuesday that he is “optimistic” that he can play in Recreation 3.
“Will see how I’m tomorrow,” Porzingis told reporters. “Clearly, I am gonna do all the things I can to be on the market tomorrow. And we’ll see. … I am optimistic. As I stated, I’ll do all the things I can to be on the market tomorrow. …
“Nothing’s gonna cease me except I am informed to not — or not allowed to play.”