Porzingis claims that plantar fasciitis in his foot keeps him from competing at full strength.
Kristaps Porzingis of the Boston Celtics stated on Tuesday that he will not compete in this year’s FIBA World Cup.
Porzingis stated on Twitter that he had plantar fasciitis in his foot, which hinders him from playing at full strength.
“It is difficult,” Porzingis wrote on Twitter, as translated by Google Translate. “I feel very responsible to myself and the supporters of the Latvian national team, but a decision has been made that I will not play in the World Cup. After several weeks of recovery and a repeat MRI examination, the plantar fasciitis of my foot still prevents me from being on the field in full readiness.
“This joint decision has been made by both the medical staff and coaching staff of the national team, as well as the Celtics team,” Porzingis continued. “With the advice and opinion that it is now necessary to continue the recovery process. Such a decision is not easy to make, but I promise that I will be there and support the team as much as I can.”
Last week, the Latvian Basketball Association denied reports of Porzingis’s injury.
“There has been information that questions the participation of Kristaps Porzingis in the FIBA World Cup,” LBS wrote, as translated through Google Translate. “LBS denies this information.”
The first claim came from European sports reporter Rupert Fabig, who said there were “growing concerns” that Porzingis might miss the World Cup due to a foot injury.
During a three-team transaction with the Wizards and Grizzlies in June, the Celtics swapped Marcus Smart for Porzingis and draft picks. In July, the Celtics extended the 7-foot-3 post player’s contract for two years and $60 million.
Porzingis, the fourth overall choice in the 2015 NBA Draft, told reporters at the time that he is approaching his prime. He celebrated his 28th birthday earlier this month.
“I looked at my game, I looked at how I can be more efficient and really just analyzed myself,” Porzingis said. “It paid off last season, and all the work I put in off the court to stay healthy with my body maturing and getting to that age helped. I believe I have some great, great high-level years ahead of me.”
Porzingis appeared in 65 games for the Wizards last season, his most since the 2016-17 season.
Last season, he averaged a career-high 23.2 points and was one of three NBA players to average at least 20 points, eight rebounds, and one block, along with Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid.