Report: Kristaps Porzingis Expected To Return For Game 1 Thursday

BOSTON, MA – APRIL 21: Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics points to a teammate after making a three point basket as Delon Wright #4 of the Miami Heat looks on during the first quarter of game one of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at TD Garden on April 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

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The Boston Celtics are expected to get a big boost for the NBA Finals this week.

Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is expected to return for Game 1 after dealing with a calf injury since the first round of the playoffs. Per Shams Charania, he has completed multiple scrimmages in the last few days and has not suffered any setbacks.

Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis (calf) has completed multiple scrimmages in recent days and is expected to return to action for Game 1 of the NBA Finals vs. Dallas on Thursday night barring setback, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Porzingis has been sidelined since April 29. pic.twitter.com/3kdyvJQyqt

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 4, 2024

Porzingis is a force down low and along the boards. During the regular season, he averaged 20 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

In four playoff games, he averaged 12.3 points and five rebounds per game before he hurt his calf.

Porzingis will be going against one of his former teams in the Dallas Mavericks. He spent two and a half seasons with them before he got dealt to the Washington Wizards during the 2021-22 season.

He’ll have some revenge on his mind as the series is set to get underway on Thursday.

The first two games will be in Boston before the series shifts to Dallas for Games 3 and 4. The teams will then rotate venues for Games 5-7.

Tip-off for Game 1 will be at 8:30 p.m. ET.