The Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers received different updates concerning their stars and their status ahead of Game 4.
Celtics are leading the series, 3-0, after a critical 18-point comeback win in Game 4.
They are favored again in their next match but they will still not be with Kristaps Porzingis who earlier reports from Adrian Wojnarowski suggested he could return by Monday, May 27.
The team officially ruled him out in what could be a series-clincher at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse as he is still recovering from his calf strain injury incurred in Game 4 of First Round series against the Miami Heat.
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Head coach Joe Mazzulla previously handed supporters an optimistic news after discussing KP's road to recovery.
"He's working hard every single day to make as fast of a recovery as he can," the coach said when asked about Porzingis's progress.
"He's there for everything and it can't go underestimated how hard he works, trying to come back in a timely fashion."
Porzingis also shared a photo of him shooting some shots on the court in his Instagram story.
KP was averaging 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game in the regular season before his injury.
Celtics hardly feels his absence anyway.
Stepping up for him is veteran center Al Horford while Oshae Brissett and Xavier Tillman Sr. also provide quality minutes from the bench.
Tyrese Haliburton's injury status
All-Star Haliburton did not play in Game 3 after suffering from a hamstring injury in the third quarter of Game 2.
The Pacers still refuse to shut him down for the rest of the series as he is listed questionable for Game 4.
Haliburton is averaging a double-double of 20.1 points and 10.9 assists this season.
His team are down 0-3 and risking his injury might be a bad decision for the rest of his career.
The Cleveland Cavaliers were in a similar situation in the Eastern Conference finals when they decided to just shut down Donovan Mitchell, their top scorer.
Jared Weiss of The Athletic said Haliburton is starting to feel better.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said he is desperate to play to help his team.
"He very much wants to play. Desperately wants to play. But the decision on tonight was taken out of his hands earlier in the day. It was determined that tonight was not an option," he said.
Ben Sheppard took over for Haliburton as a starter although he failed to provide the same number as the 2024 All-Star.
The Pacers almost pulled off an upset against the Celtics after their incredible first half showing.
Jaylen Brown even quipped that some Pacers turned into Michael Jordans against them.
However, their efforts went to waste in the fourth quarter where they were outscored by their visitors in the fourth 33-21 to erase an 18-point lead they built in the third quarter.
Pascal Siakam is his usual productive self although Miles Turner needs to more active and take advantage of Porzingis' absence.
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