Kristaps Porzingis sidelined to begin Eastern Conference Finals

Kristaps Porzingis has not played since April 29 when he suffered a soleus strain of his right calf. He did not suit up in the final game of the Boston Celtics‘ first-round series against the Miami Heat. Boston was also without their starting center for their entire second-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The one-time All-Star is expected to remain sidelined for Games 1 and 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Speaking on NBA Countdown, Adrian Wojnarowski reported:

Kristaps Porzingis has been making progress. He has been on the court, ramping up, but I’m told that he’s expected to miss the start of these Eastern Conference Finals Tuesday and Thursday – both Games 1 and 2. There is optimism Porzingis will return in that series, in these playoffs.

Porzingis played a key role in the Celtics finishing an NBA-best 64-18. He averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.9 blocks per game. The ninth-year center shot 51.6% from the field, 37.5% from three-point range and 85.8% from the free-throw line.

From NBA Countdown: Kristaps Porzingis is expected to miss Games 1 and 2 of the Eastern Finals, @wojespn reports. pic.twitter.com/7O5ExE3iKU

— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) May 18, 2024

Can the Boston Celtics continue to win without Kristaps Porzingis?

The Boston Celtics added Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis – in separate offseason trades – to a team that had reached the Eastern Conference Finals in five of the past seven seasons. Due to their talented and expensive roster, Boston has been in a championship or bust situation the entire 2023-24 season.

The Celtics are 5-1 without their starting center this postseason. Four of those wins, however, came against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were playing without Jarrett Allen. Their task will get much more difficult as they face teams with better frontcourt depth. While Al Horford and Luke Kornet have played well in short stints, Boston’s chances of winning a title rise exponentially with Porzingis in the lineup.

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