Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis is expected to miss at least the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals due to a calf strain, according to recent reports. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Porzingis is expected to make a return at some point during the upcoming series.
Porzingis has been out since Game 5 of the first-round series against the Heat, which the Celtics won. Calf strains can limit mobility and basic activities like running, and rushing back from such injuries can also result in more severe issues, such as Achilles problems. The Eastern Conference Finals are set to kick off in Boston on Tuesday against the winner of the Knicks vs. Pacers Game 7 on Sunday.
In his absence, Al Horford will continue in the starting lineup for the Celtics. Porzingis was a key player in the Celtics’ successful season, where they won a league-best 64 games. He averaged 20.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, with a shooting percentage of 37.5% from 3-point range. His defensive presence in the paint was crucial to the Celtics’ strong defense ranking in the top three.
During his time with New York City Knicks before joining Boston, Porzingis had an average of 18 points and 8 rebounds per game with a shooting percentage of 46% from three-point range. His impressive play on both ends of the court made him one of the most valuable players on any team he played for during his career so far.
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