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Boston Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis will reportedly miss Game 5 due to a right soleus strain, the team announced. The Celtics lead the Miami Heat 3-1 and the series is set to return to Boston on Wednesday, but Porzingis will be missed nonetheless. Porzingis is expected to miss a “minimum of several games” with the injury, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The injury is reportedly similar to the one Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is dealing with, per Jeff Stotts.
“KP suffered the same injury that is currently keeping Giannis sidelined. As I mentioned then, the soleus is a part of the calf muscle complex. The average time lost for strains specified as a soleus injury is ~17 days (6 games),” Stotts wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Celtics are still sitting in a good position in their series with the Heat. Assuming they win the series, which certainly is not guaranteed, Kristaps Porzingis could potentially return at some point in the second round.
The Celtics are hopeful that Porzingis will play a pivotal role in the 2024 NBA playoffs once he returns from this injury.
Kristaps Porzingis’ impact on Celtics
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are the best players on the Celtics. As we saw last game, Derrick White can contribute at a high level as well. White scored 38 points in the Celtics’ 102-88 Game 4 win in Miami.
But having Porzingis on the floor will be crucial as the playoffs move forward. In previous seasons, the Celtics have had question marks in the post. Al Horford is a reliable presence, but Porzingis is one of the better big men in the NBA.
He is averaging 12.3 points per game on 38.9 percent field goal and 40 percent three-point shooting through four playoff games this postseason. Porzingis is also recording 1.5 blocks per outing.
Through 57 games during the 2023-24 season, Porzingis averaged 20.1 points per game on 51.6 percent field goal and 37.5 percent three-point shooting.
He offers the ability to protect the basket while helping out on the boards. Porzingis is more than capable of stretching the floor.
Celtics looking to compete despite Porzingis’ injury
Again, Porzingis is going to be missed. Fortunately for the Celtics, they have enough depth to stay afloat during his absence.
Al Horford is going to step into an even more important role now. Boston can always go small and implement a lineup of Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Horford. When they want two bigs on the floor, perhaps Luke Kornet will emerge as an option to get some minutes alongside Horford.
Kornet has not played much at all in the NBA playoffs. In all reality, the Celtics probably will not give him a major increase in minutes. Still, he may see a bit more action with Porzingis sidelined for the time-being.
In the end, the Celtics will remain confident. The Heat have question marks and Jimmy Butler is injured at the moment. However, Boston would like to take care of business in Game 5.
If Miami pulls off a Game 5 upset then the series will return to Miami. The Heat could end up winning Game 6 in front of their home fans, and anything can happen in a Game 7.
For now, Boston will focus on getting the job done in Game 5.
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