The Boston Celtics may be without their primary rim protector during the most important part of the season.
Kristaps Porzingis, who joined the Celtics via trade during the 2023 offseason, left Boston's Game 4 win against the Heat with a calf injury and did not return.
The 7-2 center has suffered numerous injuries since the New York Knicks drafted him in the 2015 NBA Draft, and Celtics' fans have been holding their breaths all year every time the big man has hit the floor or grimaced in pain. Now, it appears their fears have become reality.
Here's the latest on Porzingis' injury and availability.
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What is Kristaps Porzingis' injury?
Porzingis was originally diagnosed with "right calf tightness" when he left Game 4 on Monday, April 29.
The next-day MRI revealed a "right soleus strain," per the Celtics.
That is the same injury that caused Giannis Antetokounmpo to miss the first five games of the Bucks' first-round series with the Pacers.
The shot blocker had a calf injury earlier this season ahead of the In-Season Tournament playoffs. He endured a left calf strain in late November and nursed it through December. He initially missed Boston's next four games over the span of eight days, then sat out another four of the next 11 games.
Porzingis' recent injury is on the right calf, so it's not an aggravation of a pre-existing injury.
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How long is Kristaps Porzingis out?
Porzingis is "likely out" for the Eastern Conference Semifinals and the Celtics "hope" he can make a return for the Eastern Conference Finals, according to Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes.
Kristaps Porzingis is expected to make a return if the Celtics make the Eastern Conference Finals. @ChrisBHaynes provides an update from Game 5: pic.twitter.com/0iGOGABOMo
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 1, 2024
After the Celtics eliminated the Heat, Porzingis spoke about the injury for the first time on May 4. He said that there is "no specific date" in mind for his return, but he joked that he is expecting to recover at a "historic rate."
Kristaps Porzingis says there’s no specific target date for his return, but adds with a smile that he’s “expecting to recover at a historic rate.” pic.twitter.com/mJLORu0tWP
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) May 4, 2024
The average time lost for a "soleus strain" is approximately 17 days — or six games — according to Certified Athletic Trainer Jeff Stotts. That lines up with Haynes' report that Porzingis could be out for the entire second round.
After Boston's Game 4 win on Monday, Porzingis took to X, thanking the fans for the support while confirming he "will be good."
good W tonight. DWhite is special!!
— Kristaps Porzingis (@kporzee) April 30, 2024
Thanks for all the support, will be good 💪
Kristaps Porzingis 2023-24 stats
- 20.1 points per game
- 7.2 rebounds per game
- 2.0 assists per game
- 0.7 steals per game
- 1.9 blocks per game
- 1.6 turnovers per game
- 51.6% field goal shooting
- 37.5% 3-point shooting
- 85.8% free throw shooting