The Boston Celtics are closely monitoring the progress of their star center Kristaps Porzingis, who is on the road to recovery following an ankle surgery in late June. Porzingis, a 29-year-old Latvian, is hopeful for a swift return to the court, possibly eyeing an earlier comeback than initially expected.
Porzingis has shown determination since undergoing surgery, aiming to accelerate his recovery process. Initially, the timeline for his return was estimated to be between five to six months. Despite this, Porzingis is setting his sights on a possible December return, spurred by significant milestones in his rehabilitation over the past weekend.
Ramp-Up in Rehabilitation
The center took a notable step forward in his recovery by starting to run and engage in light contact drills, such as one-on-one play. Describing his progress, Porzingis shared, "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' recovery journey has been closely managed by the Celtics' medical and coaching staff, particularly under team president Brad Stevens. Given the unique nature of Porzingis' injury—tearing his medial retinaculum—the staff is exercising caution.
Medical Staff and Team Caution
"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," said Porzingis.
Last season, Porzingis demonstrated his resilience by playing through significant injuries during crucial moments. He sustained an ankle injury in Game 2 of the NBA Finals yet returned to play 16 minutes in Game 5. Prior to his surgery, he played pivotal minutes in Game 1, despite coming off a calf injury, showcasing his commitment and mettle.
Team's Readiness
As Porzingis continues his recovery, veteran Al Horford is expected to fill the starting center role at the beginning of the season. The Celtics have also prepared backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman to provide support during Porzingis' absence, ensuring that the team remains competitive.
Stevens remains cautiously optimistic about Porzingis' 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 conveyed his satisfaction with the player's progress while emphasizing the need for prudence.
Return Timeline and Optimism
Porzingis' own optimism plays a significant role in his recovery narrative. "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 upbeat attitude and commitment to rehabilitation suggest that the Celtics' decision to exercise patience could pay dividends in the long run. By balancing Porzingis' eagerness with calculated caution, the Celtics' approach could pave the way for a stronger comeback when he eventually steps back onto the court.
"Doing a good amount of stuff" has been Porzingis' guiding mantra throughout his rehabilitation, as he continues to remain "optimistic as always" about his path back to the game he loves. The Boston Celtics and their fans can undoubtedly look forward to his impactful return, which promises to add to the team's strength and depth for the remainder of the season.