Report: Kristaps Porzingis out for first round due to meniscus tear

Dallas Mavericks PF Kristaps Porzingis has been diagnosed with a meniscus tear and will miss the remainder of the first round against the Los Angeles Clippers, the team announced Friday. Surgery is still being considered and it’s unclear if Porzingis would be available to return should the Mavs advance past Round 1.

Porzingis sustained the injury in Game 1 of the series. He was able to play in the next two games before being ruled out for Game 4, which was the insane OT win on Luka Doncic’s game-winner. The Clippers won Game 5, however, and the Mavericks are on the brink of elimination with Game 6 set for Sunday.

This doesn’t change our approach in DFS much because Porzingis has been out the past two games anyway. Trey Burke should remain in the starting lineup and continue to see big minutes. No Porzingis means more minutes for Dorian Finney-Smith and Boban Marjanovic, plus more usage for Tim Hardaway Jr. and Seth Curry in the offense. Maxi Kleber has been playing a lot in the starting lineup but has struggled with his shot in the series.

Dallas has been resilient despite the injuries to Doncic and Porzingis this postseason. The Clippers will be heavily favored in Game 6 down 3-2. Does Doncic have another classic performance left in the tank? If that is the case, we could see the series go the distance. The way the Clippers looked in Game 5 would suggest otherwise.