Kristaps Porzingis Mark Cuban
Photo: Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News

Kristaps Porzingis is nearing to his return, after sustaining a lateral meniscus tear during the Mavs’ first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers last season.

The Dallas Mavericks’ head coach Rick Carlisle said he is expecting Porzingis to make his return around February, despite the Latvian big being cleared to participate in team’s practices.

According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN:

Porzingis suffered a torn ACL during the 2017-18 season that eventually resulted in him missing the entirety of the next year.

So, Dallas are going to tread carefully regarding Porzingis’ status. The former Knicks’ superstar fits perfectly alongside Luka Doncic as a rim-protector and a secondary scorer, who can stretch the floor.