The Celtics progressed to the Eastern Conference playoffs by defeating the Miami Heat in five games, but in the process they lost Kristaps Porzingis.

After sustaining a calf strain in Monday’s Game 4, Boston’s starting big man was unable to play in the team’s series-winning Game 5. As he recovers from the non-contact injury, Porzingis is projected to miss a number of games; the Celtics intend to give him some time off before assessing the player the following week.

Boston superstars Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett talked about Porzingis’s injury and the implications for his absence as the team prepares to play either the Orlando Magic or the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round of the playoffs.

In their podcast, “Ticket & The Truth,” Garnett stated, “Porzingis is a big part of why we view the Celtics as damn near unstoppable or we got them on this higher tier just because of what he brings.” “I believe the Celtics are talented enough to continue winning if he is not sidelined indefinitely. Without him, the Celtics are a different team.

This season, Boston is 21-4 (including in the playoffs) sans Porzingis. They have shown how having depth above average can elevate a team to new heights. But the real question is: Will they be able to sustain this for several consecutive second-round playoff games?

The Celtics will have to keep depending on Al Horford with Porzingis out of the picture. Horford has repeatedly shown himself to be a valuable, dependable player for Boston during the playoffs. Luke Kornet performed admirably during the regular season this year, but he hasn’t played much in the postseason.

Boston could do well to consider Horford as a backup for Porzingis. However, Porzingis’s contribution cannot be minimized, particularly as the team advances farther in the postseason.

“I believe they could perhaps make it through round two. However, things change drastically in the Conference Finals, according to Paul Pierce. “You require him.”

In the four games against the Heat, Porzingis scored forty-nine points and pulled down twenty rebounds. On defense, he finished with six blocks and five steals.

Even at 37 years old, Horford should be able to contribute in a comparable manner on average to the stat sheet. Even with competent backups, it is alarming to lose any starter player in the postseason.

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