Hoops Rumors

Playing on Thursday for the first time since suffering a calf strain on April 29, Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis will come off the bench in Game 1 of the NBA Finals vs. Dallas, with Al Horford continuing to start at the five for the Eastern Conference champions, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic. However, according to head coach Joe Mazzulla, Porzingis won’t be a minutes … [Read more...] about Porzingis Will Come Off Bench In Game 1, Won’t Face Minutes Restriction

After days of speculation, Kristaps Porzingis confirmed that he’ll be ready when the NBA Finals begin Thursday night, writes Souichi Terada of MassLive. The Celtics big man, who has been out of action since April 29 with a right calf strain, updated his status during a session with reporters at Wednesday’s media day, and the team made it official by not listing anyone on its … [Read more...] about Celtics Notes: Porzingis, Tatum, Horford, Holiday

The decision to sign with the Mavericks last summer has given Derrick Jones Jr. a chance to play in the NBA Finals, but he could been there with either team, writes Brian Robb of MassLive. Jones confirmed to reporters on Sunday that he considered an offer from the Celtics before opting to go to Dallas. Boston was looking for another wing to back up Jayson Tatum and Jaylen … [Read more...] about Mavericks Notes: Jones, Kidd, Irving, Gafford

12:01pm: While Porzingis admitted he’s not sure if he’s 100%, he confirmed today to reporters that “the plan” is for him to play in Game 1, tweets Brian Robb of MassLive.com. “We have a couple more days,” Porzingis said. “I’ve done a lot of work up until this point. I’ve done everything needed to get back into playing shape.” 9:44am: Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis, who has … [Read more...] about Kristaps Porzingis On Track To Return For Game 1 Of Finals

Perhaps the biggest subplot of these Finals is Kyrie Irving‘s return to Boston after his rocky two-year stay with the Celtics. Irving expressed contrition for some of his actions during those 2017/18 and ’18/19 seasons, as well as two subsequent playoff series against the Celtics when he played for the Nets, Tim MacMahon of ESPN writes. The Mavericks guard views his time in a … [Read more...] about Kyrie Irving: “Wasn’t My Best Self” With Celtics

Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis continues to show good progress this weekend as he rehabs a right calf strain, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reports.Celtics forward Jayson Tatum views a second appearance in the Finals in three years as a chance for redemption, Bontemps writes in a separate story. “It’s a lot that myself, and we, can learn from that experience being in the Finals, and … [Read more...] about Porzingis Continues To Progress From Calf Strain

The Celtics haven’t offered any indication of whether Kristaps Porzingis will be ready when the NBA Finals open Thursday night, but he appears to be trending in the right direction, writes Matt Vautour of MassLive. Porzingis, who has been sidelined by a calf strain since April 29, was a full participant at Saturday’s practice, although coach Joe Mazzulla clarified that it was a … [Read more...] about Celtics Notes: Porzingis, Horford, Irving, Tatum

The Nets have formally announced Jordi Fernandez‘s coaching staff for the 2024/25 season, officially confirming (via Twitter) that previously reported names like Steve Hetzel, Juwan Howard, and Jay Hernandez will be among the assistants flanking the first-time head coach. Hernandez is a carryover from last season’s staff, as are Adam Caporn, Ryan Forehan-Kelly, Corey Vinson, … [Read more...] about New York Notes: Nets, Tsai, Brunson, Knicks, Randle

The Pacers can’t stand the thought of watching another team celebrate an Eastern Conference title on their home court, writes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. That will add to Indiana’s motivation for Monday’s game against the Celtics in the face of a seemingly insurmountable 3-0 deficit. Players and coaches understand they face long odds to win the series, but they’re … [Read more...] about Pacers Notes: Game 4, Haliburton, Nembhard, McConnell