Why isn’t Kristaps Porzingis playing against the Pacers in game 1 today?

The Boston Celtics get their 2024 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers underway on Tuesday and will once again be without Kristaps Porzingis in Game 1, although there does appear to be some positive news regarding the Latvian’s future availability.

What injury does Porzingis have? Will he be back in the Eastern Conference Finals?

The 28-year-old hasn’t played since 29 April, when he suffered a soleus strain in his right calf in the first half in Game 4 of the first-round series against the Miami Heat.

Porzingis has missed the Celtics’ last six games because of the issue, a number which is expected to rise to a minimum of eight as the Eastern Conference Finals get underway. However, there is hope the power forward will be able to return to take on the Pacers sooner rather than later.

Mazzulla optimistic on Porzingis return

As reported by MassLive, Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla revealed on Sunday that Porzingis was in a “great place” mentally. “He’s working hard every single day to make as fast a recovery as he can. So he’s there for everything and it can’t go underestimated how hard he works, trying to come back in a timely fashion”.

It had previously been claimed by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that the Celtics star would miss the first two matches of the Finals, which Mazzulla neither confirmed nor denied.

Jrue Holiday praise for Celtics teammate

The 2018 NBA All-Star also received a huge amount of praise following Sunday’s practice session from teammate Jrue Holiday, who cited Porzingis as a positive influence around the camp even when injured.

“We know KP, he works hard and he’s working hard to come back. But also if you know him he keeps himself engaged, he keeps himself engaged with the team. He’s a great locker room guy, a great teaMMAte, somebody who’s super, super funny. So it’s been pretty easy I think to keep him engaged.”

Porzingis has been seen on the Celtics bench in the matches that he has missed, supporting his teaMMAte from courtside as they have kept Boston’s hopes of glory alive.

The 17-time NBA champions haven’t done too badly without the Latvian, winning five Games and losing just one, although his return will be an undoubted boost as they look to win their first championship in 16 years.