Washington (AFP) – The Washington Wizards went into Friday’s crucial NBA playoff game against the Toronto Raptors without forward Otto Porto Jr., who was sidelined by a leg injury.
Hours before game six in the Eastern Conference playoff series, with Washington facing elimination, the Wizards said Porter had undergone a successful procedure to address compartment syndrome in his lower leg.
Compartment syndrome occurs when excessive pressure builds up inside a muscle space enclosed by fascia in the body, often as the result of swelling from an injury.
Blood to and from the affected tissue can be impeded and the Wizards said Porter’s procedure “was necessary to prevent permanent damage to the muscles in the leg”.
Porter, who had been listed as questionable with a contusion to his lower leg, will be out indefinitely, the team said.
Porter averaged 14.7 points per game on 50.3 percent shooting during the regular season, but has averaged 10 points and five rebounds in the series against Toronto.