Total Breakdown: Joe Mazzulla broke down in tears when he broke the awful news about this important player and provided a heartbreaking update.
All of the Celtics supporters had their hearts in their mouths.
During Friday’s 143-110 away victory over Miami, title favorite Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis appeared to have suffered a serious ankle injury (all times AEDT).
Midway through the third quarter, Porzingis attempted to block a shot from Bam Adebayo and stumbled awkwardly onto his ankle. He was assisted to the locker room.
However, Porzingis later rejoined the squad and seemed to be in good spirits with his teammates, which may be encouraging for the Celtics. He didn’t have on a moonboot.
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Whatever the case, it’s a disappointing outcome for a player who was so important to the team’s 34-10 victory at the beginning of the season, especially considering how successful the off-season signings of Porzingis and Jrue Holiday have been.
Furthermore, there is always some worry when Porzingis is injured because the big man from Latvia has had numerous setbacks during his career. Porzingis has played 65, 17, 34, and 43 games in his last four seasons, in that order.
In 32 games this season, he has averaging 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks.
It didn’t matter for Friday’s game, as the NBA’s top seed, now 35-10 on the year, saw Jayson Tatum’s 26 points put seven Celtics in double digits, including all five starters.
OTHERWHERE…
The New York Knicks made history by defeating the defending champion Denver Nuggets 122-84 at home to win their fifth straight game and make a major statement. It was their greatest defeat since the days of OG Anunoby.
Anunoby had a team-high 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting, three three-pointers, and six steals in what was possibly his greatest performance as a Knick ever. Jalen Brunson contributed four assists and 21 points.
With it, the Knicks increased their record to 11-2—and 28-17 overall—after adding Anunoby earlier this month, which included significant victories over Minnesota and Philadelphia.
The only other Nugget to score in double figures was Aaron Gordon (12 points), but Nikola Jokic put up 31 points and 11 rebounds.
Not quite as lopsided, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 134-122 on Friday night despite Tyrese Haliburton’s (hamstring) absence.
In his best performance as a Pacer since joining the team last summer, Pascal Siakam recorded a triple-double (26 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists), while Myles Turner added 20 points, nine boards, and two blocks.
Joel Embiid led the team in scoring throughout the contest with 31 points and seven rebounds.
“On defense, we just didn’t have any kind of success,” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said.
Siakam defeated his old Raptors coach Nurse to record his first victory since being moved from Toronto last week.
Center for the Pacers Myles Turner said of Siakam, “He’s shown what he can do.” “He has good floor vision; it’s evident that he scored a triple-double tonight.”
He plays with a great deal of vigor and emotion. He is a perfect fit for our style.
EVERY OUTCOME
108 JAZZ 123 WIZARDS
PACERS 134 SIXERS 122
HEAT 110 CELTICS 143
124 KNICKS 84 NUGGETS 122
WOODWOLVES 94 NETS 96
134 KINGS 133 WARRIORS
LAKERS BULLS 132 141
