BOSTON — Kristaps Porzingis overlooked the Celtics practice court on Sunday, working hard with the team training staff through cycling intervals as his teammates got up shots. The intensive workout was the most activity seen from Porzingis publicly since the Celtics starting center suffered a calf strain in the first round against the Heat. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
com reported Friday that the big man is expected to miss the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals but there was optimism about a return later in the series. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla gave no hints about just how close Porzingis is to returning to the floor but noted the center was in a terrific spot mentally when he came to his recovery and rehab. “Great place,” Mazzulla said of Porzingis’ mental mindset.
“He’s working hard every single day to make as fast as a recovery as he can. So he’s there for everything and it can’t go underestimated how hard he works, trying to come back in a timely fashion.” Porzingis has missed six straight games overall since suffering the calf strain in Game 4 of the Heat series.
He began some light on-court work last week but clearly still has a ways to go to ramp up towards the type of recovery he would need to play in the postseason. Porzingis has remained a fixture on the bench for Boston throughout games, staying engaged and supportive as his teammates have kept hopes of a postseason return alive. “We know KP, he works hard and he’s working hard .