NBA Rumors: Celtics' Kristaps Porziņģis Expected to Miss 'Several' Games with Injury
NBA Rumors: Celtics' Kristaps Porziņģis Expected to Miss 'Several' Games with Injury
APRIL 30, 2024
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porziņģis is expected to miss "a minimum of several games" with a right calf injury, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
That report comes after the Celtics had ruled Porziņģis out of Tuesday night's Game 5 against the Miami Heat.
Porziņģis suffered an injury during the second quarter of the Celtics' Monday night Game 4 win in Miami. He was seen after the game wearing a walking boot, per ESPN's Chris Herring.
The Celtics lead 3-1 and have the chance to close out the series at TD Garden.
Porziņģis averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 57 appearances, all starts, for the Celtics while shooting a career-best 51.6 percent from the floor in the regular season.
He then averaged 14.0 points and 5.7 rebounds in his first three postseason starts against the Heat.
In Porziņģis' absence, the Celtics are likely to turn to veteran big man Al Horford, who took his place in the starting lineup during the second half of Game 4, and Luke Kornet, who averaged 5.3 points per game as Boston's go-to backup center throughout the regular season.
Any extended absence could also lead to more playing time for Xavier Tillman Sr., a trade deadline pickup from the Memphis Grizzlies who has averaged 4.0 points per night in limited minutes through 20 regular-season games.
The Celtics are also likely to look for offensive help from other starters like Derrick White, who responded to Porziņģis' Game 4 absence by recording a career-high 38 points.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo similarly suffered a left calf muscle injury on April 10 and has yet to return to his team, although the Bucks are hopeful for his imminent return.
Because calf strains vary in severity, the Celtics could be hoping for a quicker bounce-back for Porziņģis.
While waiting for his recovery, the Celtics could benefit from an extended series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic, which would potentially delay the start of the conference semifinals. The Cavaliers and Magic head into Tuesday with their own first-round series tied at 2-2.
The Celtics played 25 games without Porziņģis this regular season and put up a 21-4 record without the big man, a sign of the 64-win team's roster depth.
Boston will still hope for the quick return of their sharpshooting starting big as the team looks to make a deep run this postseason.
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