Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis remains out for Game 4

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) gestures after scoring a three-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Miami. (Marta Lavandier/AP)

Despite earlier optimism that he’d be able to return, Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis will remain out for Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers.

Though they’ve done well in his stead, with Boston leading the Eastern Conference Finals 3-0, there was hope ahead of the series that Porzingis would be able to come back from a calf injury by Game 3 or 4, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported last week.

Porzingis, 28, has missed the team’s last nine games with a right soleus (calf) strain after suffering an injury in Game 4 of the first-round series against the Miami Heat.

According to Wojnarowski’s earlier report, Porzingis has made some progress in his recovery from the injury and is ramping up his on-court activity in hopes that he returns for the Conference Finals.

Game 4 tips-off at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT. You can watch the close-out game on Sportsnet ONE or stream on Sportsnet+.

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