NBA Rumors: Celtics' Kristaps Porziņģis Likely Out Through 2nd Round with Calf Injury

The Boston Celtics will be without big man Kristaps Porziņģis for Game 5 of their first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat on Wednesday because of a calf injury, but he might be out for much longer than that.

"I'm told he is likely out for the next series as well," insider Chris Haynes reported for NBA on TNT. "The hope is that he could make a return if the Celtics were to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals."

It should be noted that Haynes said the overwhelming feeling for the Celtics regarding the injury was one of relief.

Porziņģis suffered the non-contact injury during Boston's Game 4 win, and it wasn't difficult to assume it would be a long-term setback. But the possibility that he can return for the Eastern Conference Finals is a welcome one for a team that is in championship-or-bust mode.

After all, Boston likely doesn't need him on the floor to finish its first-round victory over a Miami team playing without Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier. The No. 1 seed already has a 3-1 lead and can rely on Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday and others to carry the offense.

Frankly, it has enough talent to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers or Orlando Magic in the second round without him as well.

While those matchups would prove more difficult, especially with formidable frontcourt pieces on both teams, Al Horford is a playoff-tested veteran who figures to assume more responsibilities on both ends of the floor.

Given his presence and that of the stars who can keep the offense afloat, the expectations do not change for the Celtics.

But they would likely need Porziņģis back to advance to the NBA Finals and then defeat one of the Western Conference's top teams once they arrive.