In a setback for the Boston Celtics, power forward Kristaps Porzingis will be absent from the lineup for Game 5 on Wednesday, following a right soleus strain or calf strain sustained during Game 4 against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center. The 28-year-old experienced missed playtime earlier this season due to a left calf strain and hamstring injury, leaving his status for the remaining NBA playoffs in question.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Porzingis's injury will sideline him for "several weeks," although no specific timeline has been provided for his return. Offering an additional perspective, The Athletic's Shams Charania suggests that the star player is likely to be out for one or two weeks. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla expressed hope that more information about Porzingis's recovery will be available next week.

During an interview on 98.5 The Sports Hub's "Zolak & Bertrand," Mazzulla admitted to not having the specific details of Porzingis's injury but emphasized that it will be reevaluated in the upcoming week. He mentioned that the team will closely monitor how the player responds to treatment and the progress made in the first week. Mazzulla intends to capitalize on this period to aid Porzingis's recovery and make informed decisions accordingly.

It was revealed that Porzingis promptly informed the bench about his ailment, displaying commendable commitment by continuing to play until the next whistle. Mazzulla expressed appreciation for his star's effort and maintained confidence in the team's ability to step up in Porzingis's absence for the remainder of the first-round series.

While the Celtics will undoubtedly miss Porzingis's skills on the court, they will need to rely on their depth and resilience as they face the Heat in Game 5, aiming to secure a victory without their star forward. The absence of a clear timeline for Porzingis's return adds an element of uncertainty, leaving fans and teammates eager for updates on his recovery process.

The Celtics will hope for a swift and successful recovery for Porzingis, as they navigate through the challenging NBA playoffs without one of their key contributors. The team will undoubtedly strive to fill the void left by Porzingis's absence, determined to overcome adversity and advance in the postseason.