By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following team practice for the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics, Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis talked about facing each other in the 2024 NBA Finals, after playing together for two full seasons and most of a third campaign, between 2019 and 2022.
It was Chandler Parsons making such questions relevant in respective press conferences held Tuesday. The former player of the Mavs referred to riffles in the relationship between the European stars, stemming from the joint effort in Dallas.
“I have talked to Chandler Parsons maybe twice in my life, so I do not know how he would know that. Me and KP have a good relationship. I do not know why people say otherwise,” the Slovenian sensation rejected the notion.
“I think it is going to be great. I played there for two and a half years. I am happy for everybody in Dallas. I have a lot of great relationships there,” said Porzingis on facing his former team.
Pushing their side to the Playoffs in 2020 and 2021, they were limited to first-round exits at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers, on both occasions.
“Obviously, it did not work out,” the Latvian big downplayed a following question about Doncic, “I do not want to go there. I am not even thinking about that right now. I am focused on the job ahead.”
Injury problems
Looking into Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Porzingis (right soleus strain) is projected to bounce back into action, logging his first appearance since the opening round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs Presented by Google Pixel.
“I am feeling better each day. It has been a long process, I am not going to lie. It has been tough to sit out, obviously,” he discussed recovering from injury, “I was trying to stay as engaged as I can with the team, being around the team and do my work, and be with the team.”
Doncic has been dealing with a right knee sprain and left ankle soreness for most of the Playoffs.
“About the same. It did not get any better. I mean, a little rest to get better. It has been more days. Hopefully, I will check in Game 1 if it is better or not. But it has been great to have some rest,” he updated his status.
Coming out of a lengthy break from the conclusion of the Conference Finals, Game 1 of a best-of-seven series for the NBA championship will be played in TD Arena on Thursday.