Dallas Mavericks' center Kristaps Porzingis suffered an injury to his lower left leg during Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. The Celtics announced on Tuesday that Porzingis' status for Game 3 is day to day.

The 7-foot-2-inch center walked to the podium with a smile on his face, but his latest predicament contradicted his appearance. Porzingis mentioned that he will leave the decision of whether he can play in Game 3 to the medical staff. However, he expressed his determination to be out on the court unless told otherwise.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized the importance of Porzingis and stated that the team and medical staff will not put him in any risky situations. He described the injury as serious, using unusually strong words for discussing player health.

According to the Celtics, Porzingis suffered a torn medial retinaculum and dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon, a rare injury. This ailment is unrelated to a previous calf strain that caused the center to miss 10 games in the playoffs.

The medial retinaculum is a tissue that helps hold tendons in place, while the posterior tibialis tendon is the largest tendon in the ankle, connecting the calf muscle to the foot bones. These injuries are often mistaken for sprained ankles, making them rare.

Porzingis remains optimistic despite his uncertain status for Game 3. He will continue to receive round-the-clock treatment and expressed his willingness to do whatever it takes to convince the medical staff to clear him for play. However, he acknowledged that he cannot trick them into allowing him to play.

The injury occurred during the third quarter of Game 2 when Porzingis and Mavericks center Dereck Lively collided while battling for position on a free throw. Although Porzingis stayed in the game, he admitted that his movement was limited for a significant portion of the second half.

While Porzingis' absence would be a blow for the Mavericks, who have experienced success with him on the court, the Celtics managed to win nine out of ten games during his previous absence with a calf strain. The team has outscored the Mavericks by 27.7 points per 100 possessions with Porzingis on the court.

Despite his limited playing time, Porzingis has made a significant impact in the series, averaging 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks. The Celtics have relied on his offensive threat, particularly his 3-point shooting and post-up game.

If Porzingis is unable to play, backup center Luke Kornet is expected to step in. However, he does not possess the same offensive prowess as Porzingis, primarily as a threat from beyond the arc or in exploiting mismatches.

Although facing a rough patch with his injury, Porzingis remains determined to help his team win. His condition will be closely monitored leading up to Game 3, where his presence on the court could have a significant impact on the outcome.