Wizards' Mahinmi to miss start of playoffs with calf injury

The Washington Wizards will begin their opening-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks without the services of their backup center.

Ian Mahinmi has been ruled out for Washington's season finale against the Miami Heat in South Beach, and will miss more games beyond that as he recovers from a strained left calf, head coach Scott Brooks told reporters Wednesday.

"Hopefully he feels better then, but you never know," Brooks said, according to the Washington Post's Candace Buckner. "But he’s definitely going to miss the first couple of games (of the playoffs)."

The 30-year-old big man underwent an MRI that revealed swelling in the area, and will be re-evaluated in 7-10 days.

Mahinmi has only made 31 appearances this season for the Wizards after signing a four-year, $64-million contract with the organization. He underwent surgery in October to repair a torn medial meniscus in his left knee, and eventually missed more time following injections in both knees after his right knee became sore as well.

In 17.9 minutes per game, Mahinmi has averaged 5.6 points and 4.8 rebounds on 58.6 percent shooting, with the Wizards scoring 4.9 fewer points per 100 possessions when he's on the floor.