Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis Expected to Miss Several Games With Soleus Injury

April 30, 2024 Jimm Sallivan

Boston Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis exited Monday’s Game 4 against the Miami Heat before halftime after sustaining a non-contact calf injury. It could be a little while before he’s back in action for the Celtics.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Porzingis is expected to miss several games with a right soleus strain. The team announced Tuesday that the 28-year-old would miss Game 5 against the Heat, and it seems that he’ll be unavailable to start the second round, should Boston advance.

A win in Game 5 on Wednesday would secure the Celtics a spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals, where a matchup against the Orlando Magic or Cleveland Cavaliers would await. It’s not clear if Porzingis would be able to return in time for that series.

Porzingis’s injury is a similar one to the ailment which has kept Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo out of commission thus far into the playoffs. Antetokounmpo has not played since April 9, when he sustained the injury in a regular-season game against Boston.

Porzingis played 14 minutes on Monday before exiting with the calf injury. He logged seven points and three rebounds before departing. He’s averaging 12.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in the first round against Miami, including his numbers from Game 4.

10 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Jaylen Brown Politely Accepted Shaq’s Confusing Advice During Postgame Interview

The Boston Celtics secured a 2–0 series lead over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night, winning Game 2 of the NBA Finals by seven on their home court.

After the game, Jaylen Brown linked up with members of the NBA TV postgame show for a quick interview, during which Shaquille O'Neal took the opportunity to offer him some "G-14 classification information," or advice regarding the NBA Finals.

"Jaylen, I don't have a question. But I'm going to give you some G-14 classification information, because this will be the last time you see me. It's a riddle; do not get fixated on useless titles. Do what you gotta do. Doesn't matter who's who, or they say who's what. It ain't time for all that right now. Do what you gotta do and get it done," O'Neal advised Brown.

Shaq: "Do not get fixated on useless titles. Do what you gotta do."@MattWinerTV: "That made sense to you?"
Jaylen: "No."
Shaq: "Okay well let me break it down... It don't matter who the man is!"
Shaq had to break down his G-14 classification to JB 🤣😭 pic.twitter.com/YX05XKQDbd
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 10, 2024

Matt Winer then asked Brown if that rambling made sense to him, to which Brown honestly admitted that it did not. O'Neal then proceeded to break it down further.

"They're trying to separate you and your guy [Jayson Tatum] by saying who's better... Don't worry about useless titles, it don't matter who the man is. Kobe's the man, Shaq's the man, it don't matter. I'm getting my 40, Kobe's getting his 39, let's go win a championship."

Ahead of Game 2, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd told reporters that he felt Brown was the Celtics' most important player, rather than Tatum. It appeared to be an attempt at some mind games from Kidd, aiming to pit Boston's two superstars against one another.

Although no one on the Celtics seem to have taken the comments to heart, O'Neal felt the need to offer his advice to Brown amid the outside chatter surrounding who truly lifts the team. Brown, though not quite understanding fully where Shaq was headed, politely accepted the advice from the all-time great.

13 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Jaylen Brown Becomes Massive Favorite to Win Finals MVP Behind Clutch Game 4 Performance

The Boston Celtics are on the verge of winning its 18th NBA Championship in franchise history, and Finals MVP is starting to take shape.

It appears to be a two-man race for Finals MVP, and through three games, Jaylen Brown appears to be ahead, fresh off an outstanding 30 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists output in Game 3, including a clutch jump shot that helped stymie a late Mavericks run.

Brown is now the heavy favorite to win Finals MVP, with his teammate Jayson Tatum the only other one within striking distance.

Here are the updated odds from FanDuel Sportsbook

Brown was the exclamation point on the Celtics second-half surge past the Mavericks, sparked by a 35-19 third quarter. Brown scored 15 points in the third quarter and 24 in the entire second half to finish with a healthy stat line.

He is averaging 24 points, six rebounds, and five assists while shooting 55% from the field in the NBA Finals, and also had the game-sealing jumper.

Jaylen Brown dropped 30/8/8 tonight
Threw down a poster for the ages
Hit a clutch jumper with a minute left
And dominated the second half
Give this man his Finals MVP pic.twitter.com/sj2bHR0gOJ
— Jacob C. Edmunds (@JacobCEdmunds) June 13, 2024

Tatum is the only other player in the mix, fresh off his best scoring performance of the series, putting in 31 points with six rebounds and five assists, but did shoot 11-for-26 as he continues to struggle with his shot. Tatum has been stuffing the stat sheet with 21 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, but is shooting below 36% from the field.

Brown, who won Eastern Conference Finals MVP, looks primed to take home Finals MVP with Tatum’s inability to score efficiently, and with the Celtics well on its way to banner No. 18.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

12 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

A $1.5 Million Bet Just Dropped for Celtics vs. Mavericks NBA Finals Game 3

Game 3 of the NBA Finals won't decide the Boston Celtics-Dallas Mavericks series, but there are 1.5 million reasons to care about it for one bettor.

A $1.5 million wager came in on Boston to win Game 3 of the Finals and take a 3-0 series lead at Hard Rock Bet. The Celtics are underdogs in this game (+105 for this bet, +114 at DraftKings Sportsbook on Wednesday morning), just the second time they've been underdogs in the last five months.

One bettor at @HardRockBet wagered $1.5 MILLION on the Boston Celtics ML at +105 odds in Game 3 of the #NBAFinals 👀☘️ pic.twitter.com/qHHNAqfdzS
— Ben Fawkes (@BFawkes22) June 12, 2024

If the Celtics win, this bettor will win over $3 million!

Boston has not been an underdog all postseason, and it actually hasn't been favored by fewer than 6.5 points in any game. Here's a quick look at the latest odds.

Spread

Moneyline

Total

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Boston's odds have gone from +2 to +2.5 over the last 24 hours with the news that Kristaps Porzingis has a new leg injury and is now questionable for Game 3.

It's been reported that Porzingis will attempt to play, but it's possible that he's either unable to go or not nearly as effective due to the injury.

Boston has been dominant on the road this postseason, going 6-0 straight up -- which is a great sign for this bettor.

Not only that, but the Celtics have spent most of the playoffs without Porzingis, and yet they've only lost two total games.

Oddsmakers are giving Dallas the edge at home in Game 3, but this bettor could end up with an insanely huge pay day if Boston goes up 3-0 on Wednesday night.

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis Expected to Miss Several Games With Soleus Injury

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