Celtics HC Gives Update on Kristaps Porziņģis Calf Injury: ‘Better Than We Thought’
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Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla expressed optimism regarding Kristaps Porziņģis’ right calf strain during a chat Scott Zolak and Marc Bertrand of the 98.5 The Sports Hub on Tuesday.
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“It’s definitely better than we thought”
Joe Mazzulla gives @ZoandBertrand an update on Kristaps Porzingis, and how Al Horford is ready to do what’s necessary to fill his shoes pic.twitter.com/EcxumMOBNN
Mazzulla added that he didn’t have a timetable for KP’s return but said that his mentality is to “get back as quick as he can.”
Porziņģis averaged 20.1 points on 51.6 percent, 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 57 regular-season starts for the 64-18 Celtics, who greatly benefitted from his presence after adding him via trade from the Washington Wizards last offseason.
He suffered the injury during Game 4 of the Celtics vs. Miami Heat first-round series and wore a walking boot postgame, per ESPN’s Chris Herring.
Last Saturday, Porziņģis emphasized to reporters that there’s no timetable and that things are going week-to-week.
“There’s no specific date obviously. It’s still pretty early,” he said. “I think it will be clear once I start doing more stuff. … Not super close yet. But expecting to recover at a historic rate.”
The Celtics are currently in the second round against the Cleveland Cavaliers in a series that began Tuesday. Chris Haynes reported for NBA on TNT last Thursday that Porziņģis is expected to return for the Eastern Conference Finals should the Celtics advance.
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Kristaps Porzingis is expected to make a return if the Celtics make the Eastern Conference Finals. @ChrisBHaynes provides an update from Game 5: pic.twitter.com/0iGOGABOMo
For now, Al Horford has entered the starting lineup in his place.
