Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is on the mend and optimistic about a swift return to the court following ankle surgery in late June. The 29-year-old Latvian big man has been working diligently to accelerate his recovery. Porzingis, expected to be sidelined for five to six months post-surgery, is now eyeing a return as early as December.
Over the weekend, Porzingis took significant steps in his rehabilitation by running and engaging in light contact drills, including one-on-one play. His progress comes as a welcome sign for the Celtics, who are approaching the situation with cautious optimism.
Team president Brad Stevens has emphasized caution given the unique nature of Porzingis' injury. "Kristaps obviously had the surgery that was well documented after the year and seems to be recovering well. He's very optimistic. I don't know that we're interested in putting a timeline on him because the injury is unique. But as far as how he feels and the progress that he's made, I'd say we're very, very pleased with where he is and maybe a little surprised," Stevens explained.
Last season, Porzingis played through an ankle injury sustained in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, tearing his medial retinaculum. Despite the severity, he returned to play 16 minutes in Game 5 of the Finals. Even prior to his surgery, Porzingis made significant contributions in Game 1 of the NBA Finals while managing a calf injury.
As the Celtics prepare for the upcoming season, veteran Al Horford is expected to start at center. Backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman will provide support during Porzingis' recovery. Stevens and the Celtics' medical staff have made it clear that rushing Porzingis back is not an option. "Obviously the energy I'm feeling from the doctor, the surgeon, the medical staff is not to rush anything," Porzingis shared. "But for myself, obviously, if you ask me and I had to do my own protocol, I would probably go quicker. But that's a good sign. I'm feeling really good. My ankle's feeling really, really good."
Porzingis remains committed to a disciplined rehabilitation process. "The expectation is sometime in December, but I'm feeling really good and I'm working towards hopefully playing earlier than that," he stated. "I think I've started the next stage now as I got here. Started running, had some light contact stuff. Played some, like, 1-on-1. I felt really good. I felt really good and the most important is I felt really good the next day, too. So yeah, looking forward to ramping up even more."
It's clear that Porzingis' determination and positive outlook are vital components of his recovery journey. "Doing a good amount of stuff" has been his mantra, and he remains "optimistic as always" about his path back to the court. As the Celtics navigate the early part of their season without him, the hope is that his methodical comeback process will ultimately place him in an even stronger position to contribute down the line.
For now, the Celtics and their fans can find solace in Porzingis' encouraging progress and unwavering dedication to returning to peak form. With Al Horford holding down the center position and the depth provided by Kornet and Tillman, Boston is strategically positioned to manage his absence effectively. The careful balance of caution and optimism surrounding Porzingis' rehabilitation journey reflects the collective commitment to his long-term health and success with the team.