Kristaps Porzingis has been out since late April with a non-contact calf strain, but there is optimism he could be cleared to play in Game 1 of The Finals.

"There's definitely hope, there's definitely optimism," said Shams Charania of Porzingis.

"There are still some hurdles, I'm told, that he has to clear before he can play in Game 1 of The Finals."

Entering the Eastern Conference Finals, there was reportedly a chance that Porzingis could return during that series if it were to extend.

Game 1 of The Finals is on Thursday, June 6th at TD Garden.

Dallas Mavericks big man Maxi Kleber is expected to play in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, barring a late setback ahead of the game. Kleber is returning from a separated shoulder that occurred in Game 6 of the first round.

Kleber has been out since that first-round series clincher on May 3. At one point, it looked like Kleber's season might be over. However, the Mavericks said that Kleber's return would be dependent on his recovery and how deep the team's playoff run goes.

Dallas is on the verge of clinching a trip to the 2024 NBA Finals. The Mavericks lead the Timberwolves 3-0 heading into Tuesday's Game 4 in Dallas.

Dereck Lively II was listed as doubtful for Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a sprained neck.

Lively was cleared from having a serious injury and has not entered the league's concussion protocol.

Maxi Kleber, who has not played since the first round due to a separated right shoulder, is questionable for the game. 

The Mavs lead the series 3-0. 

Dallas Mavericks rookie center Dereck Lively II was cleared of having a serious neck injury, after leaving Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals early. Lively's status for Game 4 of the series on Tuesday is unclear at this point.

Lively was injured during a collision with Karl-Anthony Towns in the first half of Game 3. Towns' knee hit Lively in the back of the head, after the rookie center had fallen to the floor.

Lively has been a key member of the Mavericks rotation all season. In 15 playoff games, the Duke product has averaged 8.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 21.5 minutes per game off the Dallas bench.

The Mavericks took a 3-0 series lead over the Timberwolves on Sunday. Dallas has a chance to close out the series at home on Tuesday.

Maxi Kleber could return to the Dallas Mavericks lineup for the NBA Finals, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Kleber has been out since suffering a separated shoulder during Game 6 of the first round.

The Mavs are currently up 3-0 against the Wolves.

The NBA Finals will start on June 6. 

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton is listed as questionable for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Haliburton is dealing with a sore left hamstring. The re-injury occurred in the third quarter of Game 2. Haliburton missed Game 3 due to the injury.

It's been reported that Haliburton is unlikely to play in Game 4. The Pacers trail the Boston Celtics 3-0 in the series.

The Boston Celtics will have to attempt to close out their third consecutive series without their starting center. Kristaps Porzingis was ruled out for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals due to a strained right calf.

The Celtics lead the Indiana Pacers 3-0, which means Boston can afford to play it safe with Porzingis. He's been out since getting injured in Game 4 of the first round against the Miami Heat on April 29.

If Boston closes out Indiana in Game 4, their next game won't be until Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 6. If the Pacers win, the series shifts back to Boston and Porzingis could play in Game 5 on Wednesday, May 29.

Both the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers had practice/walkthrough and film sessions on Sunday, ahead of Monday's Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. With Boston leading Indiana by a 3-0 margin, both sides expressed that Game 4 would be a battle.

However, neither side offered an update on the availability of two key players. Boston had no update on the availability of Kristaps Porzingis. He's been out due to a strained calf since midway through Game 4 in the first round of the playoffs. It was previously reported that the Celtics and Porzingis were targeting a return in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton missed Game 3 with a sore left hamstring. Haliburton reinjured his hamstring late in Game 2. Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said that there was no update as to his star guard's availability for Game 4.

Injury reports for both teams for Game 4 will come out later in the day on Sunday. Porzingis has been listed as out for each game to this point. Haliburton was initially listed as questionable, before being downgraded to out ahead of Game 3.

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton is expected to miss Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals due to a left hamstring injury. Haliburton re-injured his hamstring in the second half of Game 2.

The Pacers trail the Boston Celtics 2-0 in the series. Indiana lost both Games 1 and 2 in Boston.

Haliburton missed 10 games in January due to his initial hamstring strain. He was then limited for several games leading up to the All-Star break.

Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday is questionable to play in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals due to a non-COVID illness. Holiday has been one of Boston's best players as they've taken a 2-0 series lead over the Indiana Pacers.

Holiday has averaged 21.5 points, five rebounds and nine assists per game in the Celtics two wins over the Pacers. Indiana has tried to put their lesser defenders on Holiday throughout the first two games, and Boston has played through the veteran guard repeatedly.

The Celtics have already ruled out starting center Kristaps Porzingis, as he continues to recover from a calf straight. Backup center Luke Kornet is doubtful to play, due to a sprained wrist. Tyrese Haliburton is questionable for the Pacers, due to a sore left hamstring.