Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is on a determined path to recovery following ankle surgery in late June. The 29-year-old Latvian big man remains optimistic about returning to the court earlier than initially anticipated.
Porzingis has been proactive in his rehabilitation efforts, aiming to cut short the expected recovery time of five to six months. Initially sidelined with a potential return set around December, he has been making significant strides. Over the weekend, he took crucial steps in his recovery by starting to run and engaging in light contact drills, including one-on-one sessions.
"The expectation is sometime in December, but I'm feeling really good and I'm working towards hopefully playing earlier than that," Porzingis shared. He added, "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 his forward momentum, the Celtics' medical staff, under the guidance of team president Brad Stevens, is advocating a cautious approach given the unique nature of Porzingis' injury. The focus is on ensuring a complete recovery without rushing back onto the court prematurely. "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 elaborated.
The injury dates back to last season when Porzingis played through pain after sustaining an ankle injury in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, which resulted in tearing his medial retinaculum. Despite the severity, he returned to play 16 minutes in Game 5 of the Finals. His dedication was on display earlier in the series as well, when he played pivotal minutes in Game 1 despite nursing a calf injury.
As Porzingis continues his recovery journey, the Celtics have adjusted their lineup accordingly. Veteran Al Horford is slated to start at center at the beginning of the season, while backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman are expected to provide support during Porzingis' absence.
Brad Stevens conveyed satisfaction with Porzingis' progress but emphasized restraint when discussing a precise timeline for his 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 remarked.
Porzingis' own outlook on his recovery remains positive. With a focus on continuous improvement, he expressed eagerness to advance to more rigorous stages of his rehabilitation. "Doing a good amount of stuff" has been his mantra, and he remains "optimistic as always" about his path back to the court.
As the Celtics prepare for the upcoming season, they remain hopeful for Porzingis' swift and complete recovery. His return would undoubtedly bolster the team's performance, adding a valuable asset back into the rotation. Until then, the coaching and medical staff will continue to monitor his progress, ensuring he returns at full strength.