Joe Mazzulla provides optimistic replace on Kristaps Porzingis’ calf harm initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Boston
Kristaps Porzingis will not be on the court docket when the Boston Celtics start their Japanese Convention semifinals sequence versus the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday evening at TD Backyard, but it surely appears like he is doing all the things attainable to ultimately return to motion.
Porzingis suffered a proper calf harm throughout Sport 4 of the Celtics’ first-round sequence in opposition to the Warmth.
There is no definitive timetable for when Porzingis may be able to play, however the preliminary updates, together with one by head coach Joe Mazzulla on Tuesday, have been optimistic.
“It is positively higher than we thought,” Mazzulla mentioned on 98.5 The Sports activities Hub present Zolak & Bertrand. “I feel one factor about KP is — I do not know what his timetable is — however I do know his mentality, and he actually pushes himself to get again as rapidly as he can.
“He does an amazing job working to care for himself. He is strolling somewhat bit higher, and on daily basis he is in there doing no matter it takes to attempt to get again as quick as he can. I respect that.”
How does Mazzulla stability the workload within the frontcourt with Al Horford, Luke Kornet and the opposite huge males with Porzingis not within the lineup?
“I feel that is what we have executed all year long with Al not enjoying in back-to-backs and limiting his minutes all through the season. Al does an amazing job caring for himself, and he is prepared for conditions like this. He is prepared for the playoffs,” Mazzulla mentioned.
“I feel among the finest issues a couple of man like Al is he likes being relied on, and he at all times solutions after we depend on him. We have executed an amazing job managing it all year long, and we simply need to proceed that. Identical factor with Luke.”
Porzingis had an excellent debut marketing campaign with the Celtics. He averaged 20.1 factors, 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per sport. Regardless of the robust influence he makes on each ends of the ground, the Celtics are nonetheless able to profitable video games with out him. They’ve a 22-4 report with out Porzingis this season, together with their series-clinching Sport 5 win over the Warmth final week.
Horford doubtless will get probably the most work in Spherical 2 changing what Porzingis brings to the lineup. The 37-year-old veteran averaged eight factors and 7 rebounds per sport whereas taking pictures 59.6 p.c from the sphere versus the Warmth. His low-post protection additionally has been superb, and the Celtics will want that to proceed in opposition to the gifted Cavs frontcourt duo of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
Sport 1 of Celtics-Cavs at TD Backyard is about for 7 p.m. ET with protection beginning at 6 p.m. on NBC Sports activities Boston’s Celtics Pregame Stay.
