Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday joined the Boston Celtics via trade in the offseason. The two pieces seemed to fit seamlessly on a team looking to avenge an Eastern Conference Finals loss in 2022-23.
The Celtics were the dominant team in the regular season in the NBA. Their 64-18 record was 14 games better than anyone else in the Eastern Conference and seven games better than anyone else in the league.
Of course, staying healthy is key for any team in the playoffs. Boston saw Porzingis go down with an injury in Game 4 of their opening-round matchup against the Miami Heat.
Kristaps Porzingis’ Potential Injury Return Date Revealed
When May Porzingis Come Back From Injury?
In the second quarter of Game 4, Porzingis suffered a calf strain that forced him off the court. The 28-year-old did not play in Wednesday’s Game 5. A calf strain has also kept out two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks out of the postseason thus far.
Before Game 5 tipped off, Chris Haynes of TNT provided an update on Porzingis’ potential return.
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
The Celtics won Game 5 in his absence, allowing them to advance to the second round. They await the winner of the Cleveland Cavaliers/Orlando Magic series. Cleveland currently owns a 3-2 series lead.
Injuries have been a problem for the seven-foot-two Porzingis for much of his career. During his rookie season of 2015-16 with the New York Knicks, he appeared in a career-high 72 games. In the eight seasons since, Porzingis has played just 48.4 games per season (including 2018-19, when he missed the whole season with a torn ACL).
In the first three playoff games this season, Porzingis scored 42 points, grabbed 17 rebounds, and blocked six shots.
His first regular season with Boston saw him post averages of 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.9 blocks in 57 outings. Porzingis shot 51.6% from the field (career-high), 37.5% on three-point tries, and 85.8% from the free-throw line.
How Will Boston’s Rotation Change?
As mentioned, Porzingis missed Wednesday’s Game 5 series clincher against the Heat.
Entering the starting lineup in his place was Al Horford. Turning 38 on June 3, the five-time All-Star provides plenty of postseason experience (now 172 career playoff games). In Game 5, Horford finished with eight points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Taking Horford’s place as a rotation piece off the bench was Luke Kornet. The 7-2 center played 18 minutes on Wednesday, far more than the eight total he played over the first four games. The 28-year-old finished with two points, seven rebounds, and two assists.
Horford and Kornet should continue playing expanded roles in the second round.
The Celtics’ 17 NBA championships are tied for the most in league history with the Los Angeles Lakers. Boston last took home the title in 2008. Their last NBA Finals appearance was in 2022, when they fell to the Golden State Warriors.
Even with the Porzingis injury, DraftKings Sportsbook has Boston as the favorite to win the NBA Finals at +130.
