Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is well on his way to recovery and has his sights set on a quicker-than-anticipated return to the court following his ankle surgery in late June.
The 29-year-old Latvian, known for his formidable presence in the paint, has been putting in the work to expedite his rehabilitation process. Initially expected to be sidelined for five to six months after undergoing surgery, Porzingis now hopes to make his return as early as December.
Promising Steps in Recovery
This past weekend marked a significant milestone in Porzingis' journey back, as he engaged in running and light contact drills, including one-on-one sessions. "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 shared.
The Celtics' medical team, led by team president Brad Stevens, has been exercising caution throughout Porzingis' recovery due to the unique nature of his injury. Last season, Porzingis played through the pain of an ankle injury sustained in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, where he tore his medial retinaculum. Despite the severity of his condition, he returned to play 16 minutes in Game 5 of the Finals and had also contributed significantly in Game 1 while nursing a calf injury.
Optimism and Caution
While Porzingis' dedication and progress are encouraging, Stevens emphasized the importance of a measured approach. "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 commented.
Porzingis echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the balancing act between his eagerness to return and the medical team's more conservative timeline. "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," he said.
Team Dynamics and Future Outlook
In Porzingis' absence, veteran Al Horford is expected to take on the starting center role when the season begins. Backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman will provide additional support, ensuring that the Celtics maintain their depth in the frontcourt during this transitional period.
Porzingis' attitude remains positive as he continues to make strides in his recovery. "The expectation is sometime in December, but I'm feeling really good and I'm working towards hopefully playing earlier than that," he expressed. His mantra of "doing a good amount of stuff" captures his commitment to a balanced yet determined approach to rehabilitation, fueled by an unwavering optimism about his path back to the court.
The Celtics, with Stevens at the helm, are taking every precaution to ensure Porzingis' long-term health and readiness. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Porzingis' progress, with the hope that his return will provide a significant boost to the Celtics' championship aspirations.