Boston Celtics' Porzingis Eyes Swift Return Post-Surgery
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is on the mend and hopeful for a speedy return to the court following ankle surgery in late June. The 29-year-old Latvian big man has been diligently working to accelerate his recovery process.
Initially expected to be sidelined for five to six months, Porzingis has set his sights on a return as early as December. Over the weekend, he took significant steps in his rehabilitation, participating in running and light contact drills, including some one-on-one play.
"The expectation is sometime in December, but I'm feeling really good and I'm working towards hopefully playing earlier than that," said Porzingis.
Boston Celtics staff, led by team president Brad Stevens, has emphasized a cautious approach given the unique nature of Porzingis' injury. Last season, Porzingis played through an ankle injury sustained in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, which resulted in a tear of his medial retinaculum. Despite this, he managed to return and play 16 minutes in Game 5 of the Finals.
Prior to his surgery, Porzingis was a critical presence on the court, even playing pivotal minutes in Game 1 of the Finals while recovering from a calf injury. His resilience has been a key theme throughout his career and recovery.
Stevens expressed satisfaction with Porzingis' progress but was hesitant to set a precise timeline for his return. "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 noted.
Veteran Al Horford is expected to start at center at the beginning of the season, with backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman providing support during Porzingis' recovery. The team remains cautious but optimistic about the impact Porzingis can have once he is fully healed.
Porzingis himself remains upbeat about his recovery. "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," he said.
Despite the cautious approach from medical staff, Porzingis' own enthusiasm and readiness to push forward are palpable. "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," Porzingis added.
As the Celtics await Porzingis' return, the team's depth at center will be crucial in navigating the early portion of the season. Porzingis remains focused on his rehabilitation, driven by his optimism and determination.
"Doing a good amount of stuff" has been his mantra, and he remains "optimistic as always" about his path back to the court.
The Celtics' faithful can take solace in knowing that Porzingis' tenacity and the team's cautious yet positive outlook bode well for a strong comeback. His progress will be closely monitored, with hopes high for his impactful return to the lineup.