A non-contact injury forced Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis off the floor early in Game 4 of his team’s first-round series matchup against the Miami Heat.
The Celtics were leading 47-31 with just over two minutes left in the second quarter at Kaseya Center in Miami, Fla.
Porzingis tried to hand off the ball to teammate Jaylen Brown along the left wing. The Latvian appeared to suffer a leg injury before he could deliver the pass cleanly. Porzingis immediately signaled to the Celtics’ bench to get himself subbed out.
Kristaps Porzingis injured.
Non contact injury.
Does not look good.
Hope for a minor calf strain. pic.twitter.com/vl3Z1qmT1E
— Savage (@SavageSports_) April 30, 2024
A frustrated Porzingis hid his head underneath his jersey while walking toward the locker room with a member of Boston’s medical staff.
Porzingis reportedly suffered a right calf injury and will undergo imaging on Tuesday. The good news for Celtics fans is that the injury isn’t believed to be related to the Achilles, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (right calf) will undergo imaging on Tuesday but early indications are that he hasn’t sustained an Achilles injury, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 30, 2024
Porzingis exited the contest with seven points and three rebounds.
The Celtics overcame Porzingis’ absence to pull off a 102-88 win and take a 3-1 series lead over the Heat.
Celtics veteran Al Horford took over at center. The 37-year-old logged 34 minutes in place of Porzingis.
The severity of Porzingis’ injury and whether or not he would have to miss time remains unclear. But about an hour after Game 4 of Celtics-Heat ended, Porzingis posted an encouraging message indicating that he “will be good.”
good W tonight. DWhite is special!!
Thanks for all the support, will be good 💪
— Kristaps Porzingis (@kporzee) April 30, 2024
It’s worth noting that Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo also suffered a calf injury late in the regular season. The 2-time MVP has yet to play in his team’s first-round series against the Indiana Pacers.
