Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is on a determined path to recovery following ankle surgery in late June. The 29-year-old Latvian big man, who has been diligently working on his rehabilitation, is aiming for an early return to the court.
Aiming for December Return
Originally expected to be sidelined for five to six months, Porzingis is targeting an optimistic return in December. Over the weekend, he made significant strides in his recovery process, engaging in light contact drills and one-on-one play. "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," said Porzingis.
Cautious Approach by Celtics
The Celtics' staff, led by team president Brad Stevens, has emphasized a cautious approach 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," said Stevens.
Last season, Porzingis played through an ankle injury sustained in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, tearing his medial retinaculum. Despite the injury, Porzingis returned to play 16 minutes in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, demonstrating his determination and resilience.
Porzingis' Rehabilitation Journey
Porzingis' optimism is evident as he continues his recovery journey. "The expectation is sometime in December, but I'm feeling really good and I'm working towards hopefully playing earlier than that," he shared. "Obviously the energy I'm feeling from the doctor, the surgeon, the medical staff is not to rush anything. 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."
Initially, veteran Al Horford is expected to take on the starting center role at the beginning of the season. Backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman will provide support during Porzingis' recovery.
Porzingis' Impact and Future
Before his surgery, Porzingis played pivotal minutes in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite recovering from a calf injury. The Celtics' medical team is fully committed to ensuring Porzingis returns to full fitness, with Stevens noting, "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 prepare for the upcoming season, the focus remains on ensuring Porzingis' successful return and integration back into the lineup. With his unwavering determination and the support of the team's medical staff, Porzingis remains optimistic about his journey back to the court.