{"id":52556,"date":"2023-08-16T10:53:33","date_gmt":"2023-08-16T14:53:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=52556"},"modified":"2023-08-16T13:41:35","modified_gmt":"2023-08-16T17:41:35","slug":"fiba-world-cup-news-kristaps-porzingis-out-with-plantar-fasciitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/08\/16\/fiba-world-cup-news-kristaps-porzingis-out-with-plantar-fasciitis\/","title":{"rendered":"FIBA World Cup News: Kristaps Porzingis Out with Plantar Fasciitis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Latvian national team star and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/teams\/BOS\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Boston Celtics<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> big man <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/porzikr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Kristaps Porzingis<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will miss the rest of the FIBA World Cup due to plantar fasciitis, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/kporzee\/status\/1691527368244953089\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">he announced on social media Tuesday<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Kristaps Porzingis announced that he will miss the FIBA World Cup after being diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in his foot.<\/p>\n<p>Speedy recovery, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/kporzee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@kporzee<\/a>! \ud83d\ude4c\ud83c\udffd <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/W27QoSKGJ2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/W27QoSKGJ2<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/basketbllnews\/status\/1691611366447362508?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 16, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Porzingis\u2019s injury has numerous effects on a Latvian team that made their first FIBA World Cup. It could also impact the Celtics if the injury persists into September.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>FIBA World Cup News: Kristaps Porzingis Out with Plantar Fasciitis<\/h2>\n<h3>Latvia Without Porzingis<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Latvian national team had qualified for the FIBA World Cup in February. Their last game was a 67-57 win over Greece that encapsulated an impressive 11-game win streak. Their competition in Group H includes heavy hitters in France, Canada and Lebanon, though their roster appears <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fiba.basketball\/basketballworldcup\/2023\/news\/team-profile-latvia-to-go-as-far-as-top-talent-will-take-them\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ready for the challenge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Porzingis had spearheaded the team as its tallest and most talented player. Now, his absence leaves a remarkable void.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Latvia can still rely on other prominent players in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bertada01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Davis Bertans<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, his brother <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/international\/players\/dairis-bertans-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Dairis Bertans<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as well as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/international\/players\/rodions-kurucs-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Rodions Kurucs<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.proballers.com\/basketball\/player\/49886\/mareks-mejeris\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Mareks Mejeris<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/basketball.eurobasket.com\/player\/Rolands-Smits\/214255\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Rolands Smits<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In four qualifying games, Davis averaged 12.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Dairis put up 9.8 points while playing all 12 contests. Kurucs, Mejeris and Smits all had their fingerprints on several contests, and their roles will certainly increase in World Cup play. Still, Porzingis\u2019s impact on the roster is unquestionable. He averaged 25.5 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks per game in two February contests.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The roster will have to keep up against other FIBA teams with more talented players, particularly ones with NBA experience. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/basketnews.com\/news-191258-france-announces-12-man-roster-for-2023-fiba-world-cup.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">France<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/goberru01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Rudy Gobert<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/batumni01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Nicolas Batum<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/f\/fournev01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Evan Fournier<\/a><\/b>. Meanwhile, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/ca\/nba\/news\/canada-fiba-basketball-world-cup-2023-roster\/z6qurgel7lw1bpezdma5czkv\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Canada<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> boasts <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/07\/15\/team-canada-looks-strong-entering-the-fiba-world-cup\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eight NBA players<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/ca\/nba\/news\/canada-fiba-basketball-world-cup-2023-roster\/z6qurgel7lw1bpezdma5czkv\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/barrerj01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>RJ Barrett<\/b><\/a>\u00a0and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/o\/olynyke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Kelly Olynyk<\/strong><\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/murraja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Jamal Murray<\/b><\/a>\u00a0had been slated to play for Canada, but has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/news\/jamal-murray-out-2023-fiba-world-cup\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">opted out to rest for next season<\/a>)<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s safe to say that Latvia will have their hands full, but underdogs should never be counted out. Their first game will be against Lebanon on Aug. 25, followed by a matchup with France two days later.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Effects on the Boston Celtics<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although Porzingis\u2019s foot injury will have a major impact on Latvia, it shouldn\u2019t immediately concern the Boston Celtics. Since Porzingis has dealt with plantar fasciitis for a few weeks, he should be in better shape by the time training camp begins in late September. It\u2019s worth noting that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/plantar-fasciitis\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20354846\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">recovery time is usually around six to twelve weeks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Porzingis is the second Celtic to deal with injury issues at the FIBA World Cup. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/08\/06\/celtics-rotation-battles-sam-hauser-vs-oshae-brissett\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Newly-signed forward<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/brissos01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Oshae Brissett<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> had to withdraw from FIBA play due to a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.celticsblog.com\/2023\/8\/6\/23822303\/boston-celtics-oshae-brissett-fiba-world-cup-canada-knee-injury\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">knee injury<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Having both forwards on the mend is a good sign for head coach Joe Mazzulla. If Porzingis\u2019s recovery is longer than expected, however, keep an eye on backup bigs <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/williro04.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Robert Williams III<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/horfoal01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Al Horford<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in training camp.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last season with the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/teams\/WAS\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Washington Wizards<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Kristaps averaged a career-best 23.2 points per game, along with 8.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. Porzingis\u2019s production will be vital heading into Boston, so it\u2019s essential that he has a full recovery.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The Last Word<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kristaps Porzingis\u2019s plantar fasciitis has set up a major obstacle for Latvia. They will have to face top-tier competition without their fearless leader. Porzingis and the respective medical staffs of the Latvian team and Boston Celtics have made the proper decision. They are allowing the big man to rest up in time to rejoin the Celtics.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Porzingis will play a pivotal role for Boston going forward. While it may hurt to be on the sidelines during Latvia\u2019s first trip to the FIBA World Cup, he still has plenty to look forward to once the NBA season rolls around.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Latvian national team star and Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis will miss the rest of the FIBA World Cup due to plantar fasciitis, he announced on social media Tuesday. Kristaps Porzingis announced that he will miss the FIBA World Cup after being diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in his foot. Speedy recovery, @kporzee! \ud83d\ude4c\ud83c\udffd pic.twitter.com\/W27QoSKGJ2 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4265,"featured_media":22931,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,5,61,62,3],"tags":[2231,138,1788],"class_list":["post-52556","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-celtics","category-international-basketball","category-nba","category-news","tag-fiba-world-cup","tag-kristaps-porzingis","tag-team-canada"],"modified_by":"Jordan Pagkalinawan","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52556","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4265"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52556"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52556\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22931"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52556"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52556"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52556"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}