The Celtics star has been sidelined since April 29 with a calf injury.
playoffs, eliminating the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers in five games apiece to secure a berth in the conference finals. Most impressively, they've done so without their third-highest scorer and primary rim protector.
How close is Porzingis to returning? Here are all the injury updates that have been released to this point.On Monday, the Celtics ruled Porzingis out for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers with a right soleus strain. It is the same designation he's been ruled out with over the last few weeks.
The Celtics have proven time and time again that they can win without the Latvian big man, but they need everybody to raise the franchise's 18th banner. The sooner he gets back the better for Boston, especially if they prevail over the six-seed Pacers and advance to the NBA Finals.If you are unfamiliar with this year's Celtics team, it may be confusing to see all this emphasis on Porzingis' return when they have yet to be threatened in the postseason.
All that is to say Porzingis allows Boston to attack defenses in multiple different ways and his rim protection provides a strong backbone to an already-elite defense.In regards to this particular series, Porzingis would be matched up with opposing center Myles Turner, should he return in time to play in the Pacers' series. Porzingis' ability to shoot would force Turner to abandon the rim in order to ensure the Celtics star doesn't get a wide-open three-point attempt.
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