The Celtics will have to wait a little longer to face off against a beloved former teammate. The Hawks announced that Kristaps Porzingis will sit out Saturday’s game against the Celtics due to left Achilles tendinitis. It will be the fourth straight game Porzingis has missed due to the injury.
Saturday marks the first time this year that Boston is set to face off against Atlanta since an offseason three-team trade that sent Porzingis to Atlanta in exchange for Georges Niang. Boston went on to move Niang to the Jazz in August to dump his salary and clear out some playing time for younger players on their roster.
Porzingis has played well in Atlanta when on the floor but health issues have been a constant issue for the seven-footer. Porzingis has only played in 17 games this year and missed several weeks last month recovering from illness which he says was unrelated to his POTS condition that kept him out for parts of last season with Boston.
Porzingis is averaging 17.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game on the year but has moved to a bench role due to his limited availability. His name has also been mentioned frequently in trade rumors all year due to his $30.7 million expiring contract. Atlanta has already moved on from their former All-Star Trae Young last week, sending the point guard to the Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
The Hawks will also be without Zachharie Risacher (knee) and starting guard Dyson Daniels (ankle) is questionable. The Celtics may also be without starting point guard Payton Pritchard due to a sore ankle.
The Celtics will have a chance to face off against Porzingis next in Boston on Jan. 28.