Lakers Stephen A. Smith ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith broadcasts his show, First Take, live from WGPR-TV broadcast museum in Detroit on Friday, September 9, 2022.
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The Boston Celtics may find themselves in trouble, according to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who thinks the team has basically no chance if Kristaps Porzingis is ruled out.

On First Take Tuesday morning, Smith said that he thinks the squad has virtually no chance of reaching the NBA Finals without him.

“Without Kristaps Porzingis, the Boston Celtics are not winning the championship,” Stephen A. said. “Without ” Kristaps Porzingis, they aren’t going to the finals.”

How important is he? He averages 20 points per game and seven rebounds. Porzingis seems to be the missing piece of the puzzle in the Celtics’ championship run these last few years.

But Porzingis suffered a non-contact injury to his right calf during the second quarter of the Celtics’ playoff game against the Miami Heat. He limped to the locker room and was ruled doubtful to return with what the team called “right calf tightness.”

It didn’t seem to affect the team, as they soundly beat the Heat 102-88. Although he was seen wearing a boot after the game, it may be a hopeful sign that it may not be as serious as first thought.

Porzingis seems upbeat after the team’s win and possible return.

Nothing has been made official so far, but for the Celtics’ sake, they better hope he can make it back soon if they want to advance through the Eastern Conference playoffs. Otherwise, Smith‘s bold prediction could come true.

{Kristaps Porzingis, First Take}

About Stacey Mickles

Stacey is a 1995 graduate of the University of Alabama who has previously worked for other publications such as Sportskeeda and Saturday Down South.

View all posts by Stacey Mickles