Kristaps Porzingis Ruled out for Mavericks vs. Pistons with Knee Injury

Tyler Conway @jtylerconwayFeatured ColumnistApril 30, 2021

Dallas Mavericks center Kristaps Porzingis (6) handles the ball against the New York Knicks during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, April 16, 2021, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)

Ron Jenkins/Associated Press

Dallas Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis left Thursday's game against the Detroit Pistons with right knee soreness.

The 25-year-old played 21 minutes and had 11 points and one rebound before leaving the floor.

Injuries have been a major source of frustration for Porzingis throughout his career, particularly since his arrival in Dallas in 2019. He's missed 22 games this season because of various ailments, most recently an ankle issue that cost him three games.

While the Latvian hasn't been the superstar Dallas hoped when the team acquired him from the New York Knicks, the Mavs are far better with him on the floor.

Porzingis is averaging 20.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while shooting 47.4 percent from the floor and 36.3 percent from beyond the arc.