Game 1 of the NBA Finals is 38 days from when Kristaps Porzingis suffered the soleus strain in his right calf that has since sidelined him for the Boston Celtics' playoff run.
Reports of Kristaps Porzingis potentially returning for Game 4 against the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals sparked optimism that aged into concern when the seven-foot-three center got ruled out a day before tip-off.
Payton Pritchard was the first to fan the flames, telling NBC Sports Boston's Abby Chin at shoot around on Monday morning, "He looks really good. I think he'll be ready shortly."Then came Shams Charania reporting on The Rally on Stadium: "I'm told there are a few hurdles he has to clear, but he is aiming, he is pushing, he is trying to get back and ready in the lineup for Game 1 of the Finals next week.
As the former All-Star continues attacking his rehab, in an appearance on Zolak and Bertrand two days after Boston punched its ticket to the NBA Finals for the second time in three years, Joe Mazzulla shared the following about when Celtics fans might see Porzingis in the lineup."I don't know," began the team's second-year bench boss. "I do know he's ramped it up on the court a little bit. I do know, like I've said, he's working really, really hard.
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