• Kristaps Porzingis (calf) probable for Game 1
    Kristaps Porzingis (right soleus strain) is expected to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

    Advice: Porzingis has been out since April 29, but he was reportedly ready to come back as soon as Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Indiana. Boston’s commanding lead in that series allowed the Celtics to rest Porzingis, but after so much time off, it’s unclear if he’ll be rusty or face a minutes restriction. Porzingis’ return presumably means Al Horford will shift back to the bench. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:59 am
  • Probable for Game 1
    Porzingis (calf) is expected to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks on Thursday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Porzingis has managed to participate in multiple scrimmages in recent days without any setbacks. He hasn't played since Game 4 of the Celtics' opening-round series versus Miami on April 29, so it will be interesting to see how many minutes he can handle to open the series against Dallas. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:44 am
  • Limited at Friday's practice
    Coach Joe Mazzulla said Porzingis (calf) participated in a couple of drills during Friday's practice and is pleased with where the big man is at in his rehab progress, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: Porzingis was still mostly limited to individual shooting drills during the media portion of Friday's practice, but he looked to be moving well. He hasn't played since Game 4 of the Celtics' opening-round series versus Miami on April 29, so Porzingis will likely need to get at least a few days of 5-on-5 work in before getting full clearance for game action. The Celtics face the Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals next Thursday, June 6, giving Porzingis ample time to increase his activity. Rotowire.com Friday, 12:11 pm
  • Making good progress
    Coach Joe Mazzulla said Wednesday on the Zo and Bertrand Show that Porzingis (calf) is "ramping up the intensity level" ahead of the NBA Finals, but the big man's status for Game 1 remains to be determined.

    Advice: The Celtics are waiting on the winner of the Western Conference Finals between the Mavericks and Timberwolves, but it sounds like Porzingis has a shot to return early on in the NBA Finals. There are likely to be daily updates on Porzingis' status, but Boston fans have reason to be optimistic based on Muzzulla's update. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 10:10 am
  • Kristaps Porzingis (calf) out for Game 4 Monday
    Kristaps Porzingis (right soleus strain) is out for Monday’s game against the Pacers.

    Advice: While it was reported before the series that Porzingis could return as soon as Game 4, he will not be available on Monday. The combination of Boston leading the series 3-0 and Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton dealing with a hamstring injury likely bought Porzingis added time to recover. The NBA Finals will not start until June 6, so the Celtics taking care of business on Monday would buy KP additional time to get healthy. Al Horford will remain in the starting lineup. Rotoworld May 26, 3:01 pm
  • Ruled out for Game 4
    Porzingis (calf) has been ruled out for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers on Monday, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: Porzingis was initially targeting a return to action for Game 4, but he'll remain sidelined with the Celtics holding a 3-0 lead in the series. If the Pacers win Game 4, it's unclear whether Porzingis will be able to return later in the Eastern Conference Finals or if he'll be available for a potential trip to the NBA Finals. Rotowire.com May 26, 2:10 pm
  • Makes seven threes in Game 3 win
    Horford closed with 23 points (8-14 FG, 7-12 3Pt), five rebounds, three blocks and one steal in 35 minutes during Saturday's 114-111 win over Indiana in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: The Pacers allowed Horford to shoot the ball freely from three-point range, and the veteran big made them pay with a career high in threes made in the postseason. Horford is going through his best stretch of form in the current playoffs, scoring 15 or more points in three of his last four appearances while shooting 48 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from three in that span. Rotowire.com May 26, 9:35 am
  • Al Horford hits playoff career-high seven triples
    Al Horford shot 8-of-14 from the field in Saturday’s 114-111 win over Indiana, tallying 23 points, five rebounds, one steal, three blocks, and seven 3-pointers in 34 minutes.

    Advice: After scoring 21 points in the series’ first two games, Horford was huge for the Celtics in Saturday’s Game 3. He established a new career-high with seven 3-pointers, and the veteran big man was also responsible for three of the Celtics’ 12 blocked shots. While it was reported before the series began that Kristaps Porzingis (right soleus strain) could return in time for Game 4, the Celtics’ 3-0 lead may influence the team’s thinking. And if the Unicorn cannot play on Monday, Boston has a more than suitable option to rely upon in Horford. Rotoworld May 25, 8:20 pm