Perhaps the doctor prescribed a nine-day rest before the NBA Finals began for a player who was in the limbo of his ailment recovery. The Boston Celtics, who are without injured forward Kristaps Porzingis, are in that situation. He is recuperating from what the team described as a right calf strain; he last participated in the first round matchup with the Miami Heat. More specifically, Porzingis has a strained soleus muscle, which is the same issue that prevented Giannis Antetokounmpo from playing for the Milwaukee Bucks.

On May 4, Porzingis stated that the injury wasn’t as bad as he had initially thought and that he was sure he could return to the court during the playoffs. After Porzingis’ injury, a three- to four-week rehabilitation period was initially estimated. Since Porzingis was hurt in Game 4 of a first-round series against the Miami Heat, the Celtics have gone 9-1 overall and have won seven straight games without him starting.

Playing a significant part in the Eastern Conference finals, Al Horford declared that if Porzingis is unable to return, he will be prepared to assist the Celtics in whatever way they need.

It’s whatever it takes for me. Really, all I want is to win,” Horford remarked. One of Porzingis’ three former teams, the Mavericks, might be waiting for him in the Finals. In February 2022, Porzingis was dealt to the Washington Wizards by Dallas, who had previously acquired him from the New York Knicks.

The Celtics acquired him in June of 2023. During the regular season, the 28-year-old averaged 20.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.