MIAMI — Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis hobbled off the court before halftime and into the locker room Monday night, and he is considered doubtful to return after suffering a right calf injury during Boston’s Game 4 with the Heat.
Porzingis will undergo imaging on Tuesday, but early indications are that he hasn’t sustained an Achilles tendon injury, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Porzingis appeared to tweak something after catching a pass from Jaylen Brown late in the second period. Upon getting the ball, he started driving toward his left but then grimaced before quickly giving the ball back to Brown and coming up lame in the middle of the play. He didn’t appear to be touched by anyone on the play where he got hurt.
As he walked to the locker room with a support staffer, he briefly held his jersey over his face in apparent frustration.
The Celtics quickly released an update, saying Porzingis was suffering from right calf tightness and was doubtful to return to action. Porzingis didn’t join the rest of the team on the floor to start the third period.
Veteran big Al Horford took his place in the starting lineup to begin the second half.
The 7-foot-3 big man, who joined the Celtics last offseason via trade, fit the team almost perfectly in his first year, averaging 20 points and 7 rebounds a contest while giving Boston an even more dangerous, five-out offense.
The Celtics lead the best-of-seven series vs. Miami 2-1.
Daniel Miller is a sports fanatic who lives and breathes athletics. His coverage spans from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis for sports enthusiasts.
