Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis could reportedly return by Game 4 vs. Pacers

Porzingis has not played since Game 4 of Boston's opening-round series against the Heat.

Kristaps Porzingis has not played since Game 4 of Boston's opening-round series against Miami. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff)

By Conor Ryan

May 22, 2024

1 minute to read

Reinforcements might be on the way for the Celtics in their matchup with the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Tuesday that there is “growing optimism” that Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis could make his return to the court as soon as Game 4 against Indiana on Monday night.

Wojnarowski’s report offers up the first tangible return date for Porzingis, who has not played since Game 4 of Boston’s opening-round series against the Heat due to a calf injury.

“Porzingis has been making progress from a soleus strain of his right calf, accelerating his on-court ramp up and increasing his fitness to make his conference finals debut possible once the best-of-seven series returns to Indianapolis, sources said,” Wojnarowski wrote.

Speaking ahead of Boston’s third-round matchup against the Pacers, Joe Mazzulla acknowledged that Porzingis was taking positive steps forward in his recovery — but did not offer a definitive timeline for his return.

“A great place,” Mazzulla said when asked by reporters about Porzingis’s rehab on Sunday. “He’s working hard every single day to make as fast of a recovery as he can. He’s there for everything. You can’t underestimate how hard he works trying to come back in a timely fashion.”

Even though Wojnarowski added in his report that the Celtics “won’t rush Porzingis back and want to continue to be conservative in his recovery”, Boston could use the 28-year-old center in this series against the Pacers — especially after a close overtime win in Game 1 on Tuesday night.

Not only would Porzingis’ ability to score in the paint and sink shots from 3-point range aid Boston in extending leads against a 27th-ranked Pacers defense, his size down low would also come in handy against the likes of Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam.