The Boston Celtics are on the verge of eliminating the short-handed Miami Heat in the first round of the NBA playoffs, and just about everyone expects them to finish the job in Game 5 on Wednesday, even though they’re without starting center Kristaps Porzingis.
But the reality is that Boston will need Porzingis later in the playoffs if they are to meet their lofty goal and expectation of winning the world championship.
Chris Haynes reported on the “NBA on TNT” that Porzingis, who has a calf strain, will likely miss all of the next round of the playoffs, but he could return in the Eastern Conference Finals if the Celtics get there.
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
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 1, 2024
Porzingis landed in Boston last summer as part of a surprising trade that saw Marcus Smart, who had been a fixture in Boston for years, get sent to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The big man not only gave the Celtics 20.1 points a game during the regular season but also provided them with plenty of rim protection, and it allowed the Celtics to become one of the NBA’s best defensive teams.
Assuming they get past the Heat, they will face either the Cleveland Cavaliers or Orlando Magic in the next round, and both teams have legitimate big-man threats who will need to be accounted for.
If Boston reaches the conference finals, the same would be true there, as they could face the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers, or Milwaukee Bucks.
One problem they have had all season long is a lack of viable depth, especially in the frontcourt, and that deficiency will now be magnified as long as Porzingis is out.
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Insider Reveals How Long Kristaps Porzingis Will Be Out For Celtics