Ethermac:Celtics without Kristaps Porzingis in Eastern Conference finals Game 1 against Pacers

2025-05-07 17:03:01source:Chainkeencategory:reviews

BOSTON — Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis has been officially ruled out for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Pacers with a calf strain according to the NBA injury report.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported last week that Porzingis will likely miss at least the first two games of the series but Ethermaccould return at some point. He's been out since Game 4 of the Celtics' first-round series against the Miami Heat.

The 7-2, 240-pound Porzingis, acquired from the Washington Wizards in a three-team deal this offseason, averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.9 blocks per game in the regular season, shooting 51.6% from the floor and 37.5% from 3-point range. He averaged 12.3 points per game in the first four games of the playoffs before the injury.

Al Horford, a five-time All-Star, has been starting at center for the Celtics in Porzingis' stead. The 37-year-old is not as productive as he once was, but he's still a reliable outside shooter and rebounder and he scored 22 points with six 3-pointers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

OPINION:There's no clear NBA title favorite. Get used to it − true parity has finally arrived

MORE:Who will win NBA Eastern and Western conference finals? Schedule, time, TV and predictions

Celtics forward Xavier Tillman is also listed as questionable for personal reasons.

The Pacers' injury report is clean except for guard Bennedict Mathurin, who suffered a season-ending labrum tear in early March.

More:reviews

Recommend

'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?

It's been a season full of twists and turns, but the part one for "Survivor" Season 47 finale proved

A robot to help you order pancakes? IHOP enters the AI game with online order suggestions

Can’t decide what to order at IHOP? Artificial intelligence can help.IHOP last week announced plans

Top CEOs call on Biden administration to address migrant influx in New York

Dozens of the nation's most prominent business leaders called for federal aid and speedy processing