Mavericks’ Kristaps Porzingis Ruled Out vs. Timberwolves After Suffering Foot Injury

AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

Dallas Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis will not return to Sunday’s contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves because of right foot soreness.

He had 13 points (2-of-9 shooting) and three rebounds in 23 minutes prior to exiting.

Porzingis previously missed five games earlier in the season because of a back ailment. He then suffered an ankle injury in a 114-96 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 29.

Despite injuries, the 26-year-old is having a productive season, averaging 19.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while shooting 44.3 percent from the floor in 21 games. 

Porzingis hasn’t been the most durable player over his career. He appeared in just 43 games for the Mavericks during the 2020-21 campaign because of various injuries, including knee, ankle, back and wrist ailments.

The former fourth overall pick was also held out of several games last season for injury recovery, injury management and rest. He has never played a full 82-game season. 

Porzingis’ lengthy injury history dates back to 2017, his rookie season. He also missed the entire 2018-19 season with a torn ACL. In addition, he has suffered from knee, ankle and heel injuries during his career.

During an offseason appearance on the Mavs Film Room podcast, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was optimistic about Porzingis’ outlook for the 2021-22 campaign, saying, “He’s healthy. He’s coming in a lot healthier. He’s coming in with a fresh set of expectations. He’s coming in with something to prove.”

Dallas is 14-14 on the season, putting it in eighth place in the Western Conference. If they have any chance at contending for a title alongside the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns, the Mavericks will need Porzingis to be healthy moving forward.