Kristaps Porzingis Eyes Early Return After Ankle Surgery
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is diligently working towards a swift return to the court following ankle surgery in late June. The 29-year-old Latvian big man has been focusing his efforts on accelerating his recovery, eyeing a return as early as December, despite an initial prognosis that suggested he would be sidelined for five to six months.
A Determined Road to Recovery
Over the weekend, Porzingis took significant steps in his rehabilitation by 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," Porzingis said, demonstrating his enthusiasm and optimism about his recovery progress.
"The expectation is sometime in December, but I'm feeling really good and I'm working towards hopefully playing earlier than that," Porzingis shared, indicating his eagerness to return to game action sooner than initially anticipated.
Caution from Celtics' Staff
The Celtics' staff, led by team president Brad Stevens, has emphasized caution 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, acknowledging both the progress and the uncertainty surrounding Porzingis' exact return date.
Past Injuries and Current Support
Last season, Porzingis played through an ankle injury sustained in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, tearing his medial retinaculum. Despite this debilitating setback, he returned to play 16 minutes in Game 5 of the NBA Finals and logged pivotal minutes in Game 1 despite nursing a calf injury beforehand. Such resilience underscores Porzingis' dedication and commitment to his team and craft.
During Porzingis' recovery phase, veteran Al Horford is expected to start at center at the beginning of the season. Backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman will provide additional support, ensuring that the Celtics remain competitive while Porzingis works his way back to full fitness.
Maintaining a Balanced Approach
Porzingis emphasized the importance of not rushing his 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 said, highlighting the careful balance between his personal drive and professional medical advice.
Brad Stevens, along with the entire Celtics organization, shares this sentiment of cautious optimism. They are refraining from setting a concrete timeline for Porzingis' return, reflecting the complexity and uniqueness of his injury while appreciating the substantial progress he has made. "Doing a good amount of stuff" has been Porzingis' mantra, and he remains "optimistic as always" about his path back to the court.
As Porzingis continues to make strides in his rehab, Celtics fans and the NBA community will be watching closely, hopeful that his return will bolster Boston's quest for a championship run. The next few months will be crucial in determining how quickly the Latvian star can join his teammates and contribute to their success on the court.