In the first 30 seconds of his preseason outlook earlier this week, coach Rick Carlisle made it clear that Kristaps Porzingis would not be playing in any games until at least January.
It should surprise nobody that Porzingis respectfully disagrees.
The Mavericks’ 7-3 center had surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee 12 weeks ago. He has resumed work on the basketball court, although he’s taking things slow because the team’s medical staff demands it.
That doesn’t stop Porzingis from fighting the good fight in terms of when he will be playing. Like most players, he hates missing things like a nationally televised Christmas Day game against the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers.