The Celtics rolled into the second spherical of the NBA playoffs, as anticipated, however they may should play that sequence and not using a key piece.
Kristaps Porzingis, who’s coping with a calf pressure, missed the Celtics’ 118-84 series-ending Recreation 5 victory over the Warmth and will now miss the staff’s second-round sequence, in line with TNT’s Chris Haynes.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Porzingis was “anticipated to overlook a minimal of a number of video games.”
Porzingis, 28, damage himself in Recreation 4, sustaining the non-contact harm within the second quarter, as he performed simply 14 minutes in Boston’s 102-88 win over the Warmth.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla spoke to reporters earlier than their series-clinching Recreation 5 victory, however didn’t have an replace on what Porzingis’ timetable to return may be.
“We’re going to provide it every week and see the place he’s at and type of see how he responds to the remedy over the subsequent week,” Mazzulla mentioned, in line with the Boston Globe.
With out Porzingis, the coach mentioned the staff might want to rely extra on its pace.
“Simply bought to make use of the pace to our benefit on each ends of the ground,” Mazzulla added. “That’s an important factor. However, it begins with our protection. We’ve bought to get stops. Once we try this, we don’t should play within the halfcourt and within the halfcourt we have now to make use of our pace to create two-on-ones and pocket alternatives.”
In his first yr in Boston, Porzingis, when on the courtroom, was nearly as good as marketed, averaging 20.1 factors with 7.2 rebounds per sport over 57 contests.
He averaged 12.3 factors and 5 rebounds within the 4 video games he performed in through the first spherical towards Miami.
Boston will play both the Cavaliers or Magic within the second spherical.
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