The Celtics’ win over the Heat in Game 4 was overshadowed on Monday night by Kristaps Porzingis calf injury. The big man was spotted leaving the arena in a walking boot on his right foot after suffering the injury in the second quarter of Boston’s 102-88 victory. Porzingis did not return to the floor for the second half after the victory, finishing with seven points and three rebounds in his 14 minutes.
In the wake of Boston’s win much of the focus in the Celtics locker room was on the status of Boston’s starting center. Here are how multiple Celtics players reacted to the injury and what comes next.
Al Horford: “Worried, just concerned. Any time that any of your guys go back there, especially him the way that he was walking, definitely concerning for me. … I touched base with him. He’s in good spirits but we don’t know what’s it gonna be. I’m just hoping it’s nothing serious and he can get back to us quick.”
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Derrick White: “I wish the best for him. You hate to see that happen. He works so hard, one of the best players in this game. So I told him we got his back and he’s gonna do what he needs to do to get treatment and to do what he needs to do to get back with us.
“Al stepped up and did what Al Horford does. So having a guy like that is just the ultimate luxury. I think Luke came in and gave us good minutes, too. So we’ve got a lot of trust and faith in this whole roster, so we’re gonna need everybody.”
Jayson Tatum: I was thinking the same thing: I hope it’s not too serious, I hope that he can recover as fast as possible in the safest manner. And I just hope that he’s OK. …We’re going to have to play different but next-man-up mentality for however long, if, you know, we are without him. I don’t know anything but just next-man-up and find a way to win a game.”
Porzingis is set to get imaging done on his injured calf on Tuesday as the team returns to Boston ahead of Game 5 on Wednesday night at TD Garden.
