After a four-game absence, Kristaps Porzingis expects to return Friday night when the Celtics host the Knicks.
Before missing out on a trip to Las Vegas, getting eliminated from the NBA’s In-Season Tournament by the Indiana Pacers on Monday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported there was optimism that Kristaps Porzingis could make his return later this week for the Boston Celtics.
Boston was unable to come away with the victory, and the New York Knicks fell to the Milwaukee Bucks on the other side of the East bracket on Tuesday night, so the Celtics will host the Knicks on Friday.
Losing in the In-season Tournament gives the Celtics’ center an extra day of rest and on-court prep to ramp up for his return from his left calf strain.
The evening prior to scrimmaging, Porzingis began answering questions from fans on his Instagram story. When asked when he’d return from his now four-game absence, he answered, “I will be lined up for the next game.”
After Wednesday’s practice, the 28-year-old doubled down on what he said on his Instagram story the night before.
“Calf is good,” Porzingis said. “Got a good session in, up and down, went through the full practice, and feeling good.”
“I believe so,” Porzingis said after being asked if he were ready to play. “I haven’t talked to the medical staff yet, but I think after what I did today, should be good to go.”
The Celtics’ matchup against his former team will be on NBATV on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. EST as Boston looks to bounce back from their loss in Indiana.
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