Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis 'getting better' ahead of NBA Finals - ESPN

BOSTON — Kristaps Porzingis participated in parts of Friday's practice — the Boston Celtics' first since advancing to the NBA Finals earlier this week — and coach Joe Mazzulla said he's pleased with the center's recovery from a right calf strain.

«He's getting better,» Mazzulla said at the team's facility. «He's out there shooting. Went through a couple of drills in practice. So, progressing well and kind of confident where he's at right now.»

Porzingis has been out for more than four weeks since suffering the injury during Game 4 of the first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat. Although Porzingis is a key cog at both ends of the court, the Celtics have still been able to go 9-1 without him, dispatching the Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers to return to the Finals for the second time in three seasons.

After coming to the Celtics in a blockbuster trade last June that saw franchise icon Marcus Smart head out of town, Porzingis has averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game this season. He has shot a career-best 51.6% overall while hitting 37.5% of his 3-pointers on more than five attempts per game.

Friday's practice was the first time since the injury that the media have seen Porzingis doing anything, even if it was only some movement 3-pointers that he did without any noticeable sign of a limp or hitch.

As far as Porzingis' availability for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC), Mazzulla — typically tight-lipped about injuries — didn't give anything away.

«I'm confident where he's at on whatever day today is,» Mazzulla said.

Mazzulla and the Celtics are also confident in their ability to prepare for the gauntlet that is the NBA Finals. Two years ago, when Boston faced