In just five games, the Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in their Eastern Conference Semifinal. Joe Mazzulla’s team will suit up tonight to play the Indiana Pacers in the first game of their Eastern Conference Finals series after taking a six-day break. Regretfully, though, there is still reason for anxiety regarding Kristaps Porzingis’ ability to be among those who take the floor.

The Boston Celtics have added two players to the NBA’s official injury list, while the Indiana Pacers have simply added Bennedict Mathurin. For personal reasons, Xavier Tillman is only labeled as “questionable,” but Kristaps Porzingis has sadly been officially declared “out” of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The star player for the Celtics, who has endured numerous ailments in his career, is out with a right soleus strain. The Latvian sustained a leg injury in Game 4 of the Celtics’ first-round series against the Miami Heat.

The medical personnel initially stated that the center had just experienced “calf tightness” and that it would only be permitted to return to the floor in a matter of minutes. But before receiving the diagnosis that he has been receiving throughout the most of the playoffs, Porzingis was evaluated more thoroughly later on.

The 7′ 2″ player was observed moving around in a cast for the longest period of time. When he was able to go on the floor and take part in non-contact exercises later, supporters were happy. Prior to the series against the boys of Rick Carlisle, the unicorn was also spotted working out hard on the stationary bike.

Porzingis has made improvement, but the Boston Celtics have not yet announced when the star will be back in the starting lineup. The head coach said that he was “optimistic” about the situation. Regarding the process of rehabilitation, he stated,

“Great place. He’s (Porzingis) working hard every single day to make as fast as a recovery as he can. He’s there through everything. It can’t go underestimated how hard he works trying to come back in a timely fashion.” per Noa Dalzell

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Kristaps Porzingis will miss at least Games 1 and 2. Al Horford has replaced Porzingis as the starting center thus far, and it’s probable that the Celtics will stick with the seasoned player for these two games. It is anticipated that Luke Kornet will play more minutes on the court.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are predicted to seal the victory at the TD Garden tonight, despite the fact that the Pacers’ frontcourt combo of Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, and Aaron Nesmith are playing excellent basketball. Tyrese Haliburton and company, nevertheless, should be able to compete with the best squad in the East.