Boston Celtics Star Ruled Out For Game 5 Against Heat

The Boston Celtics will be without one of their best players.

Nov 26, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics logo is seen before the game between / Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

On Wednesday evening, the Boston Celtics will host the Miami Heat for Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.

For the game, the Celtics will be without one of their best players, as 2018 NBA All-Star Kristaps Porzingis has been ruled out.

Via ESPN's Tim Bontemps: "The Celtics say Kristaps Porzingis is out with a soleus strain — the same injury Giannis Antetokounmpo has missed the entire Bucks-Pacers series so far with."

The Celtics say Kristaps Porzingis is out with a soleus strain — the same injury Giannis Antetokounmpo has missed the entire Bucks-Pacers series so far with.

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) April 30, 2024

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski also added more details.

Wojnarowski: "Celtics C Kristaps Porzingis is expected to miss a minimum of several games with the right soleus strain, sources tell ESPN."

Celtics C Kristaps Porzingis is expected to miss a minimum of several games with the right soleus strain, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/9qW4iR04jO

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 30, 2024

Porzingis is in his first season with the Celtics, and averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.9 blocks per contest while shooting 51.6% from the field and 37.5% from the three-point range in 57 games.

The Celtics finished as the first seed in the Eastern Conference (and the best team in the NBA) with a 64-18 record.

They are coming off a season where they lost to the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals (in Game 7).

Apr 7, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) shoots a free throw / Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics currently lead the series 3-1, and most recently beat the Heat by a score of 102-88.

Porzingis finished with seven points and three rebounds while shooting 1/5 from the field in 14 minutes of playing time (before getting hurt).

Game 6 would be on Friday evening in Miami.

Whoever wins the series will face off against either the Orlando Magic or the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round.