Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is on a determined road to recovery after undergoing ankle surgery in late June. The 29-year-old Latvian big man remains optimistic about a swift return to the court, eyeing a possible comeback as early as December.
“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 determination to expedite his recovery is palpable as he diligently works through his rehabilitation process.
Progress and Rehabilitation
Porzingis has recently made significant strides in his recovery journey, transitioning to running and engaging in light contact drills, including one-on-one play. "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 remarked with enthusiasm.
The Celtics' medical staff, led by team president Brad Stevens, has maintained a cautious approach, acknowledging the unique nature of Porzingis’ injury. Stevens stated, "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."
Cautious Optimism
Despite Porzingis' eagerness to return, the emphasis from the medical team is to prioritize long-term health over a rushed recovery. "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 explained.
Season Impact
During Porzingis' recovery, veteran Al Horford is expected to assume the starting center role for the Celtics. Backup options Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman will provide necessary support in the interim. Last season, Porzingis showed remarkable resilience playing through an ankle injury during the NBA Finals, where he sustained a tear in his medial retinaculum. Despite the injury, he managed to play pivotal minutes, underscoring his tenacity and commitment to the team.
Porzingis' positive outlook and disciplined approach to recovery have been encouraging. "Doing a good amount of stuff" has been his mantra, and he remains "optimistic as always" about his path back to the court. This optimism is shared by the team, with Stevens adding, "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."
As Porzingis continues to make progress, the Celtics organization and its fans eagerly await his return, hopeful that his presence on the court will bolster their performance this season. For now, the focus remains on a steady recovery, ensuring that when he steps back onto the hardwood, Porzingis will be in prime condition to contribute to the team's success.