Inside The Celtics

Kristaps Porzingis Believes He Will Return to Celtics' Lineup Friday

After a four-game absence, Kristaps Porzingis expects to return Friday night when the Celtics host the Knicks.

Rob Greene

Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
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Before missing out on a trip to Las Vegas, getting eliminated from the NBA's In-Season Tournament by the Indiana Pacers on Monday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported there was optimism that Kristaps Porzingis could make his return later this week for the Boston Celtics.

Boston was unable to come away with the victory, and the New York Knicks fell to the Milwaukee Bucks on the other side of the East bracket on Tuesday night, so the Celtics will host the Knicks on Friday. 

Losing in the In-season Tournament gives the Celtics' center an extra day of rest and on-court prep to ramp up for his return from his left calf strain.

The evening prior to scrimmaging, Porzingis began answering questions from fans on his Instagram story. When asked when he'd return from his now four-game absence, he answered, "I will be lined up for the next game."

Kristaps Porzingis anticipates a return to the Celtics lineup for Friday's game vs. the New York Knicks.
Kristaps Porzingis anticipates a return to the Celtics lineup for Friday's game vs. the New York Knicks :: https://www.instagram.com/kporzee/

After Wednesday's practice, the 28-year-old doubled down on what he said on his Instagram story the night before.

"Calf is good," Porzingis said. "Got a good session in, up and down, went through the full practice, and feeling good."

"I believe so," Porzingis said after being asked if he were ready to play. "I haven't talked to the medical staff yet, but I think after what I did today, should be good to go."

The Celtics' matchup against his former team will be on NBATV on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. EST as Boston looks to bounce back from their loss in Indiana.

Further Reading

Derrick White Discusses His 'Horrible' Second Half, C's 3rd Qtr. Struggles After Loss to Pacers

Tyrese Haliburton, Another Sloppy 3rd Qtr., Propel Pacers Past Celtics in In-Season Tournament

Former Celtics Assess If Boston Needs to Make Move to Help Title Pursuit

Joe Mazzulla Praises Payton Pritchard's Fourth-Quarter Performance in C's Win vs. 76ers

Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Earned Ugly Win vs. 76ers

Celtics Share Their Perspective of NBA's Flawed but Successful In-Season Tournament

An Empowered Jaylen Brown Strives to Balance Scoring with Playmaking: 'I've Grown A Lot'

Celtics' Loss to Magic Highlights Their Most Concerning Traits

Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis Discuss Their Quickly Cultivated Chemistry: 'An Automatic Connection'

Joe Mazzulla Believes Celtics' Second Unit is 'Starting to Develop an Identity'

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present

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Rob Greene
ROB GREENE

@RobGreeneNBA

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