The Boston Celtics could soon be whole again. According to ESPN’s NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, injured Celtics’ star center Kristaps Porzingis could return to action by Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals series against the Indiana Pacers.
Porzingis suffered a calf strain in the first round against Miami Heat and the injury kept him sidelined ever since. He has reportedly been ramping up his fitness and progressing well in recovery, but the Celtics are taking a cautious approach and won’t rush him back. Still, the team is optimistic that he can make his Eastern Conference Finals sooner than later.
The Celtics are viewed as overwhelming favorites against the Pacers even without Porzingis on the court. However, his return would help the team get back in sync for the potential NBA Finals, which will be a lot more challenging for Boston regardless of whether the Dallas Mavericks or the Minnesota Timberwolves come out of the West.
Kristaps Porzingis joined the Celtics during the offseason in a trade with the Washington Wizards and proved himself as a valuable addition. He made impact on both sides of the ball and was a major reason why Boston finished the regular season with the best record in the league. In 57 games played during the 2023-24 campaign, Porzingis averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.9 blocks.