In a disappointing turn of events for Boston Celtics fans, it appears that Kristaps Porzingis may not take to the court again in this year's NBA Finals. The 28-year-old player has been battling injuries throughout the playoffs, and after sustaining a rare ankle injury in Game 2, his availability for the remainder of the Finals is in serious doubt.

Porzingis had been sidelined for the majority of the Eastern Conference playoffs due to a calf injury, only making a brief return for the NBA Finals. Despite his desire to play in Game 3, the Celtics made the decision to designate him as inactive. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski further reported that there is "real doubt" surrounding Porzingis' ability to make a comeback in the Finals.

While this news is undoubtedly disappointing for Porzingis, who had played a vital role in Boston's regular-season success, it may not pose a major setback for the Celtics. The team has proved their resilience without him, winning an impressive nine out of ten games in the postseason.

As the Celtics stand on the brink of victory, just one win away from claiming the Larry O'Brien Trophy, Porzingis is expected to be watching the outcome from the sidelines in street clothes. The Celtics will have an opportunity to complete a sweep over the Dallas Mavericks and secure the championship on Friday night at the American Airlines Center.

While the absence of Porzingis is certainly a blow for the team and fans alike, the Celtics have shown that they are more than capable of overcoming adversity and finding success with their deep roster. As they aim to bring home the coveted NBA championship, the Celtics will rely on their remaining players to step up and fill the void left by Porzingis' absence.