Porzingis Eyes December Return Following Ankle Surgery
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is optimistic about a swift return to the court after ankle surgery in late June. As the 29-year-old Latvian big man diligently works to accelerate his recovery, there's optimism brewing among Celtics fans and staff alike.
Porzingis was expected to be sidelined for five to six months post-surgery, initially setting a potential return around December. However, recent developments in his rehabilitation have generated hope for an earlier comeback. Over the weekend, Porzingis took significant steps in his recovery process by running and engaging in 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 revealed. "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."
Despite Porzingis' enthusiasm, the Celtics' staff, led by team president Brad Stevens, emphasizes caution given the unique nature of his injury. Porzingis played through an ankle injury last season, sustaining a torn medial retinaculum in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. Remarkably, he returned to play 16 minutes in Game 5 despite the injury and had already shown his resilience by playing key minutes in Game 1 despite a calf injury.
"Kristaps obviously had the surgery that was well documented after the year and seems to be recovering well," noted Stevens. "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."
Porzingis' determination is evident, but the medical team’s cautious approach echoes throughout the Celtics organization. "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 shared.
In Porzingis' absence, veteran Al Horford is expected to start at center when the season begins, with backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman providing additional support. Stevens expressed satisfaction with Porzingis' progress but refrained from setting a concrete timeline for his return, remaining focused on his overall well-being and the long-term success of the team.
Porzingis himself remains optimistic about his path back to the court, echoing his mantra of "doing a good amount of stuff" in his rehabilitation. The Celtics’ faithful can take solace in the fact that Porzingis, despite his setbacks, has shown resilience and a commitment to making a full recovery.
While the timeline for his return remains fluid, Porzingis' steady progress and positive outlook offer a glimmer of hope. His return will undoubtedly be much anticipated, not just for his skill on the court but for the spirit and determination he embodies in overcoming this challenging chapter of his career.