Is Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis playing vs. Pacers? Latest Game 1 injury update

Celtics injury report: Kristaps Porzingis downgraded for Game 1 vs. Pacers - masslive.com

Kristaps Porzingis is expected to miss several games of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers will square off in the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics are widely expected to win the series but the Pacers are not to be taken lightly. Game 1 is Tuesday night at TD Garden at 8:00 PM EST but the hosts will be shorthanded due to an injury to Kristaps Porzingis.

Porzingis played a huge role on the Celtics in his first season with the team, making himself a mismatch for many teams with his shooting, lob-catching and interior defense. Unfortunately for Boston, the 28-year-old is still sidelined.

Kristaps Porzingis gives update on eye injury after Celtics beat Pacers - masslive.com

Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis out for Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals vs. Pacers

Porzingis is listed as out on the NBA injury report with a right soleus strain. The Celtics center played the first four games of their first-round series against the Miami Heat but has been sidelined for six games now, including the whole second round against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

As Porzingis recovers, he has remained around the team and has been in good spirits. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, he could be back for Game 3, when the series turns to Indiana. With Myles Turner starting for Indiana, it would be huge for Boston to get their mobile, floor-spacing, shot-blocking big man back.

Al Horford has started in Porzingis’ place, struggling at times in the series against the Cavs but closing it out with a monster Game 5, recording 22 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and four stocks, all of which are highs for the 2024 playoffs. Against a Pacers team that loves to get up and down the floor, this could be a series where the 37-year-old Horford struggles.

Kristaps Porzingis AVAILABLE for Tuesday's Celtics-Pacers Game - Sports Illustrated Boston Celtics News, Analysis and More

Making things worse for the Celtics is that they may be down another center. Along with Porzingis, Boston center Xavier Tillman Sr. is also on the injury report. He is listed as questionable due to personal reasons. The Pacers have just one player listed: Bennedict Mathurin, who remains out with a right shoulder labral tear.

While the Celtics and Pacers begin their quests for a berth in the NBA Finals against either the Dallas Mavericks or Minnesota Timberwolves, Kristaps Porzingis will be working his way back into the starting lineup.

Sam DiGiovanni started at ClutchPoints as an associate editor in 2021 and became the site’s Philadelphia 76ers beat reporter ahead of the 2022-23 season. He graduated from Marist College in May of 2022 and has also written for TheKnicksWall.com and CenterFieldMarist.com.