Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis hasn't played basketball in a month, yet the Latvian big man could be making his return soon.
After suffering a right soleus strain in Game 4 of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Porzingis was forced to leave the contest early. The C's ended up winning that late April game and eliminating the Miami Heat, but Porzingis has been sidelined ever since.
In spite of his untimely injury, the Celtics punched their ticket to the 2024 NBA Finals following a sweep of the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. That series wrapped up on Monday night, and just two days later, Porzingis took to social media to provide an update on his status:
“Thank you to everyone who supports and sympathizes throughout the season,” he said in Latvian on X. “I'll be back in line soon. See you in the finals, and then in the arena with your own.”
The English translation via Google Translate isn't perfect, but Porzingis says “See you in the finals” with a shamrock emoji accompanying it. That symbol is obviously tied to the Celtics and their logo, so it's safe to assume that the 2018 All-Star was discussing the NBA Finals.
In the final part of his post, Porzingis references an “arena with our own,” followed by a Latvian flag emoji. The 2024 Olympics are this summer and Porzingis' home country still has a shot at qualifying. In fact, part of the qualifying tournament will be held in Riga, the capital of Latvia, in early July.
Perhaps the Celtics center is hoping to play in, or at least attend, his country's international contest.
What does Kristaps Porzingis' timeline look like for the Celtics?
The Celtics haven't shared too much information on Porzingis' status. Although a return to play in either Games 3 or 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals was mentioned by ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Celtics ultimately didn't have to rush him back on the court.
Once they took a 2-0 series lead, Boston had some breathing room. Then, after the Celtics completed a double-digit comeback to win Game 3, it became clear that they wouldn't rush Porzingis back for a series that was nearly over.
While the sweep was closer than one might think, the Celtics didn't have a dire need for Porzingis. Yet, in the upcoming Finals, which starts on Thursday, June 6th, Boston will want to be at full strength.
When asked for an update on Porzingis, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla offered an uncertain, but hopeful outlook, via Zolak & Bertrand on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
“I'm not sure,” Mazzulla answered when asked if Porzingis would play in Game 1 of the Finals. “I do know he's ramping up on the court a little bit. I do know, like I said, he's working really, really hard.”
As for the rest of the Celtics, Boston is relatively healthy. Center Luke Kornet sat out for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals with a wrist sprain before being removed from the injury report for Game 4. He didn't end up taking the court in Game 4, but the Celtics still prevailed 105-102, on Monday evening.
The Eastern Conference is all wrapped up, yet a Western Conference champion hasn't been crowned. The Dallas Mavericks were on the brink of sweeping the series on Tuesday night before the Minnesota Timberwolves showed some resolve and won Game 4 by a score of 105-100.
The Mavs still lead the series 3-1 and are just one win away from meeting the Celtics in the Finals. Minnesota will try and reverse the series by rattling off four straight wins, which has never been done in the lengthy history of the NBA. Game 5 will tip off on Thursday in Minnesota though, giving the Timberwolves home court advantage as they attempt to push the series to a Game 6.
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