The Boston Celtics will be without big man Kristaps Porzisis for Game 5 of their first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat on Wednesday due to a calf injury, but he will be out for much longer than that. There is a possibility of leaving.
“We're hearing he's likely to miss the next series as well,” insider Chris Haynes reported to the NBA on TNT. “The expectation is that he will be able to return if the Celtics advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.”
Notably, Haynes said the overwhelming feeling regarding the Celtics' injuries was one of relief.
Porzigis suffered a non-contact injury during Boston's Game 4 win, but it's not hard to imagine it being a long-term setback. But for a team in win-or-lose mode, the possibility of him returning to the Eastern Conference Finals is welcome.
After all, Boston probably won't need him on the floor to finish off its first-round win over a Miami team playing without Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier. The No. 1 seed already has a 3-1 lead and can rely on Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Jrue Holiday to carry the offense.
Frankly, they have enough talent to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers or Orlando Magic in the second round without him.
These matchups will be more difficult, especially with strong players in the frontcourt on both teams, but Al Horford is a playoff-tested veteran who will play more on both ends of the floor. considered to be responsible.
Considering his presence and the presence of a star who can lift the offense, expectations for the Celtics remain the same.
But Porzizis' return will likely be necessary to reach the NBA Finals and beat one of the Western Conference's top teams upon arrival.
