Boston Celtics forward Kristaps Porzingis won’t suit up for Latvia in the upcoming FIBA World Cup, he announced Tuesday.
Porzingis is making a precautionary decision along with the Latvian national team and the Celtics as he’s dealing with plantar fasciitis.
Latvia was seen as a potential dark horse with Porzingis as its lead option. The squad currently features Oklahoma City Thunder forward Davis Bertans, as well as former NBAers Anzejs Pasecniks, Rodions Kurucs, and Dairis Bertans.
Porzingis was extremely valuable in the World Cup qualifiers, averaging 25.5 points and 14 rebounds per game.
Without Porzingis, Latvia will be underdogs to claim a top-two spot in a group with powerhouse France, ultra-talented Canada, and Lebanon.
Porzingis landed with the Celtics earlier this summer in a three-team trade that also included the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies.
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