Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis. Michael Laughlin-USA TODAY Sports

Report reveals how long Kristaps Porzingis could be out with calf injury

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated 5/1/24

Boston Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis suffered an injury during his team’s Game 4 win over the Miami Heat on Monday night, but it sounds like he has a good chance to return later in the postseason.

Porzingis has been diagnosed with a right soleus strain, which is a fancy way of saying a calf strain. Shams Charania of The Athletic reported on Wednesday that Porzingis could be sidelined for 1-2 weeks. It is possible the 7-foot-2 center will be out longer depending on how his rehab goes.

“It’s all about the severity of the strain, how bad the strain is,” Charania said. “I’m told this is gonna be treated like a week-to-week injury. It could be 1-2 weeks for Kristaps Porzingis. It could be even longer than that, based on his rehab. Obviously, they need him healthy.”

"Kristaps Porziņģis has a right soleus strain, so this is a calf strain…I'm told this is going to be treated like a week to week injury, could be 1-2 weeks for Kristaps Porziņģis, could be even longer than that based on his rehab."@ShamsCharania on Kristaps Porziņģis' injury… pic.twitter.com/LgPcl1jYxU

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 1, 2024

Porzingis’ injury was of the non-contact variety and looked like it could have been a lot worse, so the fact that he could return in the playoffs is a positive development for Boston.

The Eastern Conference Finals begin in roughly three weeks. The Celtics have a 3-1 series lead over the Miami Heat and are hosting Game 5 on Wednesday night. In an ideal world, they would not need Porzingis until the conference finals.

Charania compared Porzingis’ injury to the one Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has been dealing with. That is not the best sign for the Celtics, as Giannis suffered his calf injury on April 10 and still has yet to play in the postseason. If Porzingis ends up having a similar recovery timeline, that would put his status for the Eastern Conference Finals in question, should the Celtics get there.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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