WASHINGTON -- The Wizards are expected to have Kristaps Porzingis available for his debut with the team on Sunday as they host the Indiana Pacers, NBC Sports Washington has learned.
Porzingis will have to be cleared by the medical staff on Sunday after being a full participant in Wizards' practice on Saturday for the first time since he arrived in a trade from the Mavericks on Feb. 10. Porzingis, 26, has remained out with a bone bruise in his right knee.
The Wizards hope to get Porzingis into a game before they leave for a West Coast road trip on Monday. Porzingis has missed 14 consecutive games going back to his time with Dallas due to the injury.
Porzingis was acquired by the Wizards in a trade that sent Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans to the Mavs. Through 34 games this season, he is averaging 19.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.
The Wizards have 20 games remaining on their schedule, which should offer Porzingis about a quarter of a season to get acclimated with his new teammates. He last played in a game on Jan. 29.
If Porzingis plays, he will force a change to the Wizards' starting lineup. They could either start him at the five alongside Kyle Kuzma, or move Kuzma to the three and put Porzingis at the four by keeping Daniel Gafford in at center.
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Porzingis was the Wizards' most significant addition at the Feb. 10 trade deadline. It took nearly a month, but his debut is almost here.