Porzingis is currently dealing with Achilles soreness but is not scheduled to undergo an MRI at this time. Still, Porzingis is aware of the dangers associated with this type of injury — especially for big men.
“I started feeling it a couple of games ago, it was a little bit of pain and after (Friday) night’s game it was sensitive (Saturday) morning and I woke up and it’s best thing to do is rest it,” Porzingis said, via The New York Post. “I felt it right away when I woke up (Saturday) morning from walking around — sore and tight. It didn’t feel right.
“I don’t even know how it happened. It’s a situation finally got little sore from playing I guess. I’m not too worried. Just a little soreness. Keep doing treatments, ice all that stuff. It will go away pretty soon.”
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Porzingis, 21, is averaging 20.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game this season. At 7-3, he has emerged as one of the best young players in the NBA, and with his size, he is able to do things few others can duplicate.
Entering the season, Porzingis was hopeful he could play in all 82 regular season games while trying to lead the Knicks into the postseason. Now that he has missed a game, he’s just trying to get healthy before returning to action.
“It is (disappointing) but at the same time I have to be smart,” he said. “I’m not going to win a medal for playing 82 games. If things like this happen, it’s important for me to get ready for the next game than try to go all 82 and not be able to be 100 percent.”
The Knicks (16-17) have impressed at times this season. They are currently eighth in the Eastern Conference standings.