Celtics player Kristaps Porziņģis could play in Game 4 of the NBA Finals after a rare leg injury

The Boston Celtics are one win away from the NBA title, and the great Kristaps Porziņģis could be on the court on Friday to help them secure the victory.

While Porziņģis missed Wednesday’s third game due to his left posterior tibial dislocation, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported during a Thursday appearance on The Pat McAfee Show that he could be available for Game 4.

“The Celtics haven't ruled out Kristaps Porziņģis yet,” Charania said. “I was told last night after the game that there's a possibility he could play in Game 4. He really wants to play. He didn't want to sit out Game 3.”

Charania added: “The Celtics training staff will be the ones who give the green light or not.”

Charania's report comes a day after ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported before Game 3 that Porziņģis might not play again in the series.

“There are real doubts about Kristaps Porziņģis and his readiness for the rest of the series,” Wojnarowski said. “It was the Celtics medical staff that ruled him out. They watched some tests today and just decided that they were not going to let him play, even though he wanted to hang on and play in Game 3.”

Porziņģis, for his part told reporter On Tuesday he felt “good” and wanted to play in Game 3.

However, the medical staff overruled his decision and proceeded with caution given this rare injury.

As they have done throughout the playoffs, Boston found a way to win without him. The team built a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter and withstood a late charge from the Dallas Mavericks to win 106-99, giving Boston a commanding 3-0 lead in the series.

The Celtics also easily made it through the second-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Eastern Conference final against the Indiana Pacers with only one loss overall, although Porziņģis was also out with a calf injury.

Given their 3-0 series lead and their recent history of success, even if he is injured, they probably don't need him on the court to complete the NBA Finals win over Dallas. Still, it's understandable that Porziņģis wants to play.

This will be the first championship of his career and he might still be able to contribute in a possible playoff game.