By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Dealing with a right soleus strain, Kristaps Porzingis has been sidelined by the Boston Celtics since Game 4 of the best-of-seven series versus the Miami Heat in the opening round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs Presented by Google Pixel. His side went on to eliminate the Heat in Game 5 and knock out the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games as well. A potential comeback remains within the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers.
“Great place,” C’s head coach Joe Mazzulla referred to the mental status of the Latvian big on Wednesday, “He is working hard every single day to make as fast a recovery as he can. So he is there for everything and it can not be underestimated how hard he works, trying to come back in a timely fashion.”
Porzingis, 28, tallied 12.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 steals per contest over four games played in the Conference Quarterfinals, before moving to the injury list. Adjustments made by the coaching staff have been successful, including a 1-0 lead over the Pacers in a battle for a spot in the 2024 NBA Finals. A reinforcement in Porzingis would resurface scary lineup flexibility.
The Celtics ruled out Porzingis for Game 2 in TD Garden on Thursday. He is expected to also sit out Game 3 in Gainbridge Fieldhouse on the upcoming edition of NBA Sundays but Game 4 on Monday emerged as a potential return date, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.