Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is likely to miss Games 1 and 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Porzingis is rehabbing from a strained right calf.

The Celtics are awaiting the winner of the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers series. The Eastern Conference Finals is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, May 21. Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday, May 23.

Porzingis was injured in Game 4 of the first-round series against the Miami Heat. The Celtics went on to win that series in five games. Then, Boston was without their starting center for the entire five-game victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round.

The Celtics have continued to express optimism that Porzingis would return at some point in the playoffs. Now, it looks like that return may come in the middle of the Eastern Conference Finals.

After a disappointing Game 2 loss for the second consecutive series, Jayson Tatum spoke about the expectations outsiders have placed on the Boston Celtics following their dominant regular season.

“We get it,” Tatum said after the Celtics were blown out in the second half by the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2. “The world thinks we’re never supposed to lose. We’re supposed to win every game by 25. It’s not gonna be like that all the time. We don’t expect it to be easy. This is a good team we’re playing. It’s the second round of the playoffs. It’s going to be fun the rest of the series, especially come Saturday.”

Tatum also talked about the superteam narrative placed on the Celtics.

“That’s the narrative you might see on TV,” Tatum said. “The idea that we have a superteam. It’s two-fold, right? We didn’t have the Coach of the Year. We didn’t have the MVP. We only had two All-Stars. They say we’re a superteam, but we didn’t get rewarded like we are. We know we’ve got a good team. We’re not perfect. We play the right way more often than not. We know we gotta be better.”

Host Danny Leroux talks with Kevin Pelton of ESPN (@kpelton.bsky.social) about the NBA playoffs.

They break down each of the four second-round series in terms of the key matchups, swing factors and much more plus other NBA discussion.

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During the Boston Celtics closeout Game 5 victory over the Miami Heat, there was some good news shared on Kristaps Porzingis. TNT sideline reporter Chris Haynes shared that Porzingis is hopeful to make a return in a couple of weeks.

“He is likely out for next series, as well. The hope is that he can make a return if the Celtics were to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals," Hayes said about Porzingis' absence.

Boston ruled Porzingis out for Game 5 against Miami due to a strained right soleus (calf). Porzingis came up lame during Game 4 and had to ask out. Further examinations ruled out a more serious injury, such as damage to the Achilles tendon.

Boston awaits the winner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic. Cleveland can end the series with a Game 6 victory in Orlando on Friday. If the Cavs win in six games, the Eastern Conference semifinals will start in Boston on Sunday, May 5. If the Magic win to force a Game 7, the semifinals will start in Boston on Tuesday, May 7.