Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis leaves Game 4 victory with right calf tightness

Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis leaves Game 4 victory with right calf tightness

 Late in the first half of Monday night's Celtics playoff game in Miami, Boston center Kristaps Porzingis departed the game due to what the team described as stiffness in his right calf.

About 2:35 remained in the second quarter when the action took place. While attempting to move to his left, Porzingis dribbled, drew up, and made a quick motion to the Boston bench without making any noticeable contact. After being substituted out after eight seconds, he made his way straight to the Celtics' locker room, putting his jersey top over his face on the way.



After defeating the Heat 102-88, the Celtics took a 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Joe Mazzulla, the coach of the Celtics, remarked, "I thought everybody just stepped it up."

Mazzulla said he was unaware of any developments regarding Porzingis' health. According to Chris Herring of ESPN, Porzingis will undergo imaging on Tuesday, and preliminary findings suggest that he did not sustain an Achilles tendon damage.

ESPN added that Porzingis cautiously left the visiting locker room area following the game while sporting a walking boot on his right foot.

 

Before he exited the game, Porzingis seemed to get into a foot-tangle with Miami guard Tyler Herro. Following the event, Porzingis took a few strange steps, seemingly favoring his left leg, and hobbled a little but continued to play. He was also thrown to the ground.

Due to what the Celtics described as left calf problems, Porzingis missed seven games earlier in the season. As a precaution, he wears tape across the back of his left leg. In addition to these injuries, Porzingis has lost time this season due to right knee inflammation and contusions, right hamstring strains, a sprained left ankle, and back pain.

During the second half, Porzingis did not come back. In 13 1/2 minutes in the first half, he finished with seven points and three rebounds for the Celtics.


He played in 57 games during the regular season, averaging 20.1 points and 7.2 rebounds. Prior to Monday, Porzingis had averaged 14.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in the Heat-Celtics series' first three games.