Report: Kristaps Porzingis could return in Game 4 against Pacers

After reporting that Kristaps Porzingis would miss at least Games 1 and 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has a more definitive timeline on the big man’s return for Boston.

“When this series returns to Indiana, I’m told that Porzingis could return as soon as Game 4 on Monday,” Wojnarowski told NBA Countdown’s Malika Andrews.

“Now, the Celtics are certainly not going to rush him. It would be about a month when he went out April 30th against the Heat and missed the entire Cleveland series with that right calf injury, but he’s been progressing and there has been momentum that he will return in this series and it could be as soon as Game 4, Monday in Indiana.”

His coaches and teammates have all said that he remains mentally engaged in film sessions and practices. However, the team has not definitely announced a timeline for his return. So far, he’s done some light shooting and footwork drills pre-game and been seen ramping up on an exercise bike at the Auerbach Center in Waltham, but nothing can really prepare him for the rigors of NBA playoff basketball.