The Celtics have reached the 2024 NBA Finals and help could be on the way.
Boston has been without Kristaps Porzingis since Game 4 of their first-round series against the Heat. The star forward suffered a strained soleus that kept him out of the Eastern Conference Semifinals and Finals, resting and rehabbing to prepare for the NBA Finals.
Porzingis has been a major X-factor for the Celtics since the franchise acquired him in a trade from the Wizards last offseason. He averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.9 blocks per game during the 2023-24 regular season, helping the Celtics to an NBA-best 64-18 record.
Will Porzingis be ready to take the floor when the Finals begin on June 6? Jugo Mobile has you covered with the latest updates below.
What is Kristaps Porzingis’ injury?
All of Boston collectively held its breath when Porzingis suffered a non-contact injury in Game 4 against the Heat. The 7-2 forward attempted a handoff and began limping, and immediately signaled to the bench to make a substitution.
Kristaps Porzingis (right calf tightness) has doubts about his return after suffering this non-contact injury:
?: @NBCSCeltics
– Sports news (@sportingnews) April 30, 2024
Porzingis was visibly frustrated and there was concern that the injury could have ended his season.
An MRI revealed a right soleus strain – or calf injury – that would keep him out for an indefinite period of time.
That left the door open for a possible return later in the playoffs, and Boston’s success without Porzingis allowed him the advantage of being patient with his rehab.
Porzingis missed the remainder of the first round, second round and the Eastern Conference Finals, but is poised to return for the NBA Finals.
Will Kristaps Porzingis play in the 2024 NBA Finals?
The Celtics have not given an official update on Porzingis’ status for Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals, but the star forward appears to be headed in the right direction.
On June 1, five days before the NBA Finals began, head coach Joe Mazzulla delivered positive news about Porzingis’ possible return.
“He did everything the team did [in practice on Saturday]. Tomorrow we are going to try much harder. “Today was a little subdued, but he went through everything the team did today.” Mazzulla said.
When asked about the drills the Porzingis went through, Mazzulla answered the question literally.
“Just basketball drills. He looked pretty good doing them.”
The first game of the Finals will be a little more than five weeks since Porzingis last spoke. Before the game in which he was injured, Porzingis averaged 14.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.7 steals in the playoffs.
Please check back for updates on the status of your injury as they become available.
Celtics vs. Mavericks 2024 NBA Finals Schedule
Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 are scheduled to be played at TD Garden in Boston. The series will move to the American Airlines Center in Dallas for Games 3, 4 and 6.
(1) Celtics vs. (5) Mavericks
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV/live broadcast |
| June 6th | Game 1 | 8:30 pm | ABC, Sling |
| June 9 | Game 2 | 8 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
| June 12 | Game 3 | 8:30 pm | ABC, Sling |
| June 14th | Game 4 | 8:30 pm | ABC, Sling |
| June 17 | 5* game | 8:30 pm | ABC, Sling |
| June 20th | Game 6* | 8:30 pm | ABC, Sling |
| June 23 | Game 7* | 8 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
*If necessary
