Ailing shoulder to keep Ball out on Christmas

Kristaps Porzingis could return rom his calf injury as early as Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Porzingis has been making progress with the injury and accelerating his on-court ramp up.

Porzingis suffered the injury in Game 4 of the first round of the playoffs.

The Boston Celtics will maintain a conservative approach with the return of Porzingis.

Washington Wizards interim head coach Brian Keefe made his first big lineup change since taking over by moving Jordan Poole to a bench role.

Poole had started the first 52 games he played this season.

When asked about the lineup change, Poole let it be known he’s not happy with it.

“If there’s any common sense, with the situation, you should know how I feel. But I’m just going to come out, do what I can do to help the team, keep it moving,” Poole said.

“I mean, if this is a way to try to get me on ball, I guess that’s just what we have to do.”

Partizan forward Tristan Vukcevic has reached a contract buyout agreement. Vukcevic, who turned 21 years old earlier this week, will continue his career in the NBA with the Washington Wizards, per Partizan team president Ostoja Mijailovic.

Vukcevic has played for Partizan for the last three seasons, after beginning his career with Real Madrid. In 30 total games this season, the 6-foot-10 forward has averaged 7.7 points in 14.4 minutes, mostly off Partizan’s bench. Vukcevic has 54/43/84 shooting splits this season.

The Wizards drafted the Serbian/Italian dual-national with the 12th pick in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. Vukcevic appeared in four Summer League games for Washington last year. He averaged 11.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game for the Summer Wizards.