Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis will miss several games after suffering a soleus strain during Monday night's 102-88 win over the Miami Heat in Game 4 of their first-round series.
The Celtics said the 7-foot-2 forward sat out Wednesday's Game 5 in Boston with an injury. However, the team did not give a timetable for his return.
According to many NBA betting sites, the Celtics remain the front runner to win the championship. Sportsbooks still show good odds on the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
#NEBHInjuryReport tomorrow vs. Miami:
Kristaps Porzingis (right soleus strain) – OUT
– Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 30, 2024
Porzingis suffered the injury in the first half of Monday's Game 4 win at Miami. The eight-year veteran was seen tweaking his calf after catching a Jaylen Brown pass late in the second quarter.
After receiving the ball, he started to drive to the left, and then appeared to be in pain before passing the ball to Brown who came bouncing and playing.
Porzingis appeared to be affected by a dislocated calf. After the game, he slowly left the locker room with a gray boot on his right foot. He will be photographed on Tuesday.
Kristaps Porzingis may return from his calf injury if the Boston Celtics advance to the Eastern Conference Finals or the NBA Finals.
“He's probably the most important person on our team in what we're trying to accomplish,” Jayson Tatum told reporters of Porzingis after the Celtics' Game 3 win in Miami.
“There is no doubt in my mind that he will have a better game and bounce back, the way he started the game on both ends of the floor working. When he's protecting the rim, contesting shots, we're a completely different team.”
Boston acquired Porzingis during the offseason in a three-team trade with the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies.
Washington traded Porzingis to the Celtics; Boston sent Marcus Smart to Memphis; the Wizards get Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala from the C's; and the Grizzlies traded their 2023 and 2024 first-round picks to Boston.
Al Horford's Reaction to Kristaps Porzingis Injury:
“I'm just worried … especially him the way he was walking, it's about me.”
He says that KP was in a good mood and hopes that nothing is serious and the mentality of the team should change.
⚡️with @PrizePicks &… pic.twitter.com/xChSNHMMjU
– Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) April 30, 2024
According to the Mayo Clinic, a minor soleus strain can take up to three days for an athlete to start feeling better. However, full recovery in severe cases can take up to six weeks.
In 57 games (all starts) of the regular season, Porzingis averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, helping Boston to a league-best 64-18 record and a No. . 1 in the Eastern Conference.
The Celtics hold a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven series and can eliminate the Heat at TD Garden on Wednesday.
The Boston-Miami winner will play the winner of the Cleveland Cavaliers–Orlando Magic series in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Yes, the Cleveland-Orlando series won't end until at least Friday.
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