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There was a difference in another multi-game injury absence for Kristaps Porzingis with the Dallas Mavericks.
Trade rumors have surfaced for the first time since the 7-foot-3 Latvian arrived in Dallas as the centerpiece of a successful 2019 deal with the New York Knicks.
On the verge of coming back from a three-game absence due to stiff lower back, Porzingis has swept the commercial discourse – but not in the same direct manner that owner Mark Cuban and coach Rick Carlisle have attempted to refute reports that the Mavericks were open to proposals.
“It’s kind of like it’s out, and it is,” Porzingis said on Friday, a day before meeting with Brooklyn which could be his second game in New York since the trade. “I don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes and shouldn’t be too worried about it. It can only distract me at the end of the day.
Coach Rick Carlisle has said he expects the 2018 All-Star to play Kyrie Irving, James Harden and the Nets if there are no issues on Saturday morning.
Porzingis, 25, missed the first nine games of the season recovering from right knee surgery after injuring his first career playoff game in the Florida bubble last summer.
Porzingis’ right knee caused an absence of 10 games earlier in his debut season in Dallas. He was traded as he recovered from a torn ligament in his left knee, an injury sustained in what ended up being his last game with the Knicks in February 2018.
The Mavericks chose not to play him for the remainder of the 2018-19 season, and he rested on the second night back-to-back eight times with Dallas. The underlying problem is nothing new, but never stopped it for so long with the Mavericks.
“I just didn’t have the best luck,” Porzingis said. “I strive to make sure my body is strong and durable and I can just play without thinking about anything, without worrying, just be free and enjoy the game that I love.”
All told, Porzingis missed 32 of 106 games in two regular seasons with the Mavericks, who acquired him in hopes of making him the sidekick of star point guard Luka Doncic. Porzingis also missed half of six games in a first-round playoff loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in August.
“The challenge is just starting the season halfway through and not having any December workouts, preseason workouts or the traditional training camp to build a base,” Carlisle said. earlier in the week. “We will fix it.”
The underlying problem arose after the Mavericks were idle for a week due to two weather-related postponements. It’ll be almost two weeks between games for Porzingis if he plays against Brooklyn.
Porzingis’ attacking game was uneven, as illustrated shortly before his last absence, when he had 15 points on 6 of 14 shots in one game before scoring 36 and making eight of 13 3 points the next. .
His defense suffered, with Porzingis ranking near the bottom of the NBA in defensive efficiency with an average of 1.6 blocks per game. That would be a career low and is significantly outside his career average of 2.0.
“I’ve had situations… on defense, you see with your eyes and your mind and you want to react and you’re half a step late and you’re not there,” Porzingis said. “It’s also a frustrating feeling. When you know you can do it, but you don’t.
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