Kristaps Porzingis with the days numbered in Dallas?

There was only one difference during another injury absence in several Kristaps Porzingis games with the Dallas Mavericks.

Rumors of change first surfaced since the 7 ‘3’ ‘Latvian arrived in Dallas as the centerpiece of a successful 2019 deal with the New York Knicks.

Ready to return from a three-game low due to stiffness in his lower back, Porzingis drew importance to the conversation about the exchange, but not in the same direct way that owner Mark Cuban and coach Rick Carlisle have tried to refute reports that the Mavericks were open to proposals.

“Because it came out, and that’s what it is,” Porzingis said Friday, a day before the game in Brooklyn that could be his second game in New York since the exchange. “I don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes, and I shouldn’t be too worried about that. It can only be distracting at the end of the day.”

Coach Rick Carlisle expects the 2018 All-Star player to play against Kyrie Irving, James Harden and the Nets if there are no problems on Saturday morning.

Porzingis, 25, missed the first nine games of the season recovering from right knee surgery after being injured in the first playoff game of his career in the Florida bubble last summer .

Porzingis ’right knee caused a 10-game absence early in his first season in Dallas. He was replaced while recovering from a torn ligament in his left knee, an injury he suffered in what ended up being his last game with the Knicks in February 2018.

The Mavericks chose not to use him for the rest of the 2018-19 season, and has rested on the second night of straight games eight times with Dallas. That’s not and it’s new, but he’s never kept it off for so long with the Mavericks.

“I just didn’t have the best of luck,” Porzingis expressed. “I’m working to make sure my body is strong and durable and can play without thinking about anything, without worrying, just being free and enjoying the game I love.”

In total, Porzingis has lost 32 of 106 games in two regular seasons with the Mavericks, who acquired him in hopes of making him the teammate of star owner Luka Doncic. Porzingis also lost half of the six games during a first-round playoff loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in August.

“The challenge comes with starting the season halfway through and not having December workouts, preseason workouts or the traditional training camp to build a base,” Carlisle mentioned earlier in the week. “We’ll work on that.”

The previous problem arose after the Mavericks were inactive for a week due to two weather-related postponements. It will be almost two weeks between games for Porzingis if he plays against Brooklyn.

Porzingis ’offensive play has been uneven, as illustrated not long before the last absence when he scored 15 points on 6 of 14 shots in one game before scoring 36 and making eight of 13 triples in the next. .

His defense has suffered, with Porzingis placing near the bottom of the NBA on defensive efficiency while averaging 1.6 blocks per game. That would be a career low and is significantly below the 2.0 career average.

“I’ve had situations … on defense, you see with your eyes and your mind and you want to react and you’re half a step late and you’re not there,” Porzingis said. “That’s also a frustrating feeling. When you know you can do it, but you just don’t.”