Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is swiftly working towards a return to the court after undergoing ankle surgery in late June. The 29-year-old Latvian big man is optimistic about his progress, keeping December as a tentative goal for his comeback.
The injury, which sidelined Porzingis during the offseason, required a recovery period projected at five to six months. However, the player has been proactive in his rehabilitation journey. Over the weekend, Porzingis made notable advancements by running and participating in light contact drills, including one-on-one play.
Porzingis expressed his eagerness to return, saying, "The expectation is sometime in December, but I'm feeling really good, and I'm working towards hopefully playing earlier than that."
His positive outlook and rigorous work ethic have been encouraging signs for both his fans and the Celtics' staff. Team president Brad Stevens, while pleased with the progress, maintains 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. 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' resilience is notable. Last season, he played through an ankle injury sustained in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, which resulted in a torn medial retinaculum. Despite this setback, he returned to play significant minutes in Game 5. His determination also saw him contributing vital minutes in Game 1, even as he was recovering from a prior calf injury.
Beyond Porzingis' personal drive, the Celtics are making strategic adjustments in anticipation of his return. Veteran Al Horford is expected to start at center at the beginning of the season, with backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman providing support during Porzingis' recovery period.
Porzingis reflects on the last few phases of his recovery with optimism. "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 approach taken by the Celtics' medical staff has been one of caution and thoroughness. Porzingis himself acknowledges, "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."
In the interim, Stevens has expressed confidence in the team's ability to adapt and perform while awaiting Porzingis' return. His progress is monitored closely, and the team's medical protocol is designed to prevent any potential setbacks.
Porzingis remains optimistic and focused on his path to recovery, staying true to his mantra of "doing a good amount of stuff." His return to the court, whenever it happens, promises to be a significant boost to the Celtics as they navigate the challenges of the upcoming season.