Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is making notable strides in his recovery following an ankle surgery in late June. The 29-year-old Latvian big man has shown a commitment to his rehabilitation, working tirelessly to ensure a prompt return to the court.
Porzingis, initially expected to be sidelined for five to six months, is eyeing a return as early as December. Over the weekend, he took significant steps in his rehabilitation by participating in running drills and engaging in light contact activities, including one-on-one play. His progress has certainly been promising, as he noted, "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."
Measured Optimism
The Celtics' staff, led by team president Brad Stevens, has adopted 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," Stevens remarked. "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."
History of Resilience
Porzingis has a history of battling through injuries, having played significant minutes during last season's NBA Finals despite gnawing ankle and calf issues. Notably, he returned to play 16 minutes in Game 5 of the Finals despite tearing his medial retinaculum in Game 2. His resilience and tenacity on the court are well-documented. "The expectation is sometime in December, but I'm feeling really good and I'm working towards hopefully playing earlier than that," Porzingis expressed, signaling his determination and positive outlook.
Maintaining Depth
As Porzingis continues his road to recovery, veteran center Al Horford is expected to assume the starting role at the beginning of the season. The Celtics have also lined up backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman to shore up their frontcourt during this period. This strategic planning underscores the team’s commitment to both Porzingis' health and maintaining competitive depth in their roster.
Porzingis acknowledged the balanced approach in his recovery, emphasizing the importance of not rushing back too quickly. "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."
A Steady Path Forward
The Celtics are taking every precaution to ensure that Porzingis returns at full strength, avoiding any setbacks that could compromise his long-term health and effectiveness. Brad Stevens, reflecting the organization’s careful yet hopeful stance, mentioned, "Doing a good amount of stuff" has been his mantra, and he remains "optimistic as always" about his path back to the court.
With Porzingis making tangible progress and the Celtics closely monitoring his rehabilitation, a return to the court at some point this season seems increasingly likely. Fans and teammates alike are eager to see the towering center back in action, contributing to the team’s aspirations. As Porzingis' journey continues, the Celtics will remain vigilant, supporting his recovery every step of the way.