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Mavericks' Kristaps Porzingis (knee) to miss Game 5 vs. Clippers

The Dallas Mavericks will once again be without Kristaps Porzingis in their first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Porzingis, who has been dealing with knee issues, was a late scratch from Dallas’ thrilling Game 4 victory on Sunday. On Tuesday, Porzingis was officially listed as out on the team’s injury report ahead of Game 5, which is scheduled to tip off around 9 p.m. ET.

Porzingis missed Game 4 after experiencing pain in his right knee during warmups and was a late scratch from the starting lineup. The Mavs went on to win in overtime on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Luka Doncic to even up the series at two games apiece.

Porzingis underwent an MRI on Sunday and was initially listed as questionable for Game 5. Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters Monday that nothing from the MRI led the team to immediately rule Porzingis out of playing Game 5. Carlisle also said the current discomfort Porzingis is experiencing is different from the knee issue that sidelined him for 10 games in late December and early January.

Porzingis tore the ACL in his left knee in February 2018 when he was a member of the New York Knicks and ended up sitting out the 2018-19 season after getting traded to Dallas.

Porzingis was listed as questionable before Game 2 with right knee soreness but ended up playing 36 minutes and scoring 23 points with seven rebounds in the Mavs' win. In three games this series, Porzingis is averaging 23.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, including an effort of 34 points and 13 rebounds in Game 3.

With Porzingis sidelined, the Mavericks inserted guard Trey Burke into the starting lineup alongside Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr., Maxi Kleber and Dorian Finney-Smith. While Doncic led the way with 43 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists, Burke was second on the team with 25 points on a sparkling 10-of-14 shooting.

Finney-Smith is listed as questionable for Game 5 with a left hip strain and right hip soreness.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 21: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots a free throw against the LA Clippers during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 21, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Dallas Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis will miss his second straight game due to knee soreness. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

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