FILE - Dallas Mavericks' Kristaps Porzingis (6) is defended by Los Angeles Clippers' Paul George (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in this Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, file photo. Porzingis will miss the start of the season recovering from surgery for a knee he injured in his first career playoff game for Dallas. The Mavericks say the 7-foot-3 Latvian's return is on schedule, likely in January. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool, File)Ashley Landis/Associated Press

Mavs' Kristaps Porzingis Won't Play vs. Rockets for Knee Injury Maintenance

Jenna CiccotelliJan 23, 2021

Dallas Mavericks star Kristaps Porzingis has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Houston Rockets because of what the team is calling "knee maintenance," according to Eddie Sefko of Mavs.com.

The 25-year-old has played six games this season, averaging 20.3 points and 8.7 rebounds, as he returns from a knee injury he suffered in a postseason loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida.

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Saturday's decision to hold the power forward out of action stems from Dallas' having to play five games in eight nights. Victor Oladipo, whom Houston recently acquired from the Indiana Pacers, will rest as well.

Porzingis missed the 2018-19 season while he recovered from his torn ACL, but he averaged 20.4 points on 42.7 percent shooting from the field, with 9.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.8 assists per game, the following year.

Look for Willie Cauley-Stein, James Johnson and Boban Marjanovic to receive the bulk of Porzingis' minutes against the Rockets. Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell would typically fill in for Porzingis, but both have also been ruled out for Saturday because of the league's health and safety protocols.