Porzingis offers cautious optimism as NBA Finals Game 1 nears

Porzingis offers cautious optimism as NBA Finals Game 1 nears originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

BOSTON — Near the finish line of Kristaps Porzingis’ impromptu, 10-minute press conference in which he formally declared his intentions to be back on the court for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, a reporter asked Porzingis about his pain threshold and if he was running pain-free.

There was a seven-second pause. Porzingis’ eyes darted around the room, maybe hunting for a trainer or media relations staffer to help guide his response on the subject.

“Uhhhh … yes,” Porzingis said with his trademark smile.

While it wasn’t the most encouraging response, the other nine minutes and 53 seconds of chatter were largely positive, with Porzingis offering cautious optimism about his return to action after missing Boston’s last 10 games due to a right calf strain.

His surprise off-day chat, coming on the heels of ramping up his activity in Boston’s 10-day build to the Finals, injected some energy into the Auerbach Center after Boston’s afternoon workout. Porzingis calmly waited as local media crews rushed to set up their tripods and cameras after he surprisingly burst through the doors from the team’s dining area to answer questions.

Asked out of the gates if he was feeling 100 percent, Porzingis offered the first of many smiles and deadpanned, “How you guys doing?”

He eventually added, “Good question. I don’t know. We’ll see. Have a couple more days. Done a lot of work up until this point. Done everything needed to get back into playing shape. We’ll see.”

So, he’s planning on playing Game 1?

“That is the plan right now,” said Porzingis. “But, yeah, again, it’s a couple more days and I think that could make a difference. Every day gives me a bit more time to get even better. Working.”

Added Porzingis: “I’m feeling better each day. It’s been a long process, I’m not going to lie. It’s been tough to sit out, obviously. But I tried to stay as engaged as I can with the team and be around the team and do my work and be with the team.

“But it sucks. It really, really does suck. But we’re here now and I’m feeling…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/porzingis-offers-cautious-optimism-nba-191411843.html

Author : NBC Sports Boston

Publish date : 2024-06-04 19:14:11

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