Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is on a promising road to recovery following an ankle surgery in late June. The 29-year-old Latvian big man has been putting in the effort to expedite his rehabilitation process, hoping for a return to the court earlier than expected.
Initially, Porzingis was projected to be out for five to six months post-surgery, which placed his comeback around December. However, his diligent work ethic and positive progress have infused optimism into his potential early return. Over the weekend, Porzingis reached significant milestones in his recovery journey, engaging in running and light contact drills, including 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," Porzingis shared. His remarks reflect a determined athlete eager to rejoin his team while also acknowledging the importance of a cautious approach to his unique injury.
Last season, Porzingis showcased his resilience by playing through an ankle injury sustained in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, which resulted in a torn medial retinaculum. Despite the severity of the injury, he returned to play 16 minutes in Game 5, illustrating his commitment and grit. Prior to his surgery, he also played critical minutes in Game 1 of the NBA Finals while managing a calf injury.
The Celtics' medical staff, led by team president Brad Stevens, has emphasized the need for caution in Porzingis' recovery process. "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.
Porzingis echoed the team's sentiment, expressing that while he feels great and is eager to accelerate his return, he understands the necessity of adhering to the medical protocols set by his doctors. "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.
In the interim, veteran Al Horford is expected to start at center at the beginning of the season. Backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman will also provide support during Porzingis' recovery period, ensuring that the Celtics have ample depth to manage the absence of their star center.
Porzingis' commitment to his rehabilitation is evident as he progresses through the stages. "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," Porzingis commented, highlighting his forward momentum.
As Porzingis continues his path to recovery, the Celtics and their fans remain hopeful for his effective reintegration into the team. His return would mark a significant boost for the team, given his valuable contributions on both ends of the court. Porzingis' optimism and diligent rehabilitation efforts are promising indicators that the Celtics may see their star center back in action sooner rather than later.