Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is on the mend and optimistic about a swift return to the court following ankle surgery in late June. The 29-year-old Latvian big man has been working diligently to accelerate his recovery, aiming to rejoin his team as soon as possible.
Porzingis' Rehabilitation Progress
Initially, Porzingis was expected to be sidelined for five to six months post-surgery. However, he's eyeing a return 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," he explained.
Over the weekend, Porzingis took significant strides in his rehabilitation by running and engaging in light contact drills, including one-on-one play. His recovery has progressed positively, allowing him to start the next stage of his comeback. "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 elaborated.
Medical Team's Cautious Approach
The Celtics' staff, led by team president Brad Stevens, has emphasized 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 stated.
Porzingis himself acknowledged the balance between his eagerness to return and the medical team's prudence. "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 mentioned.
Reflections on Past Injuries
The last season presented its own set of challenges for Porzingis, who played through an ankle injury sustained in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, tearing his medial retinaculum. Still, he showcased considerable grit and determination, returning to play 16 minutes in Game 5 of the NBA Finals despite his injury. Moreover, before his surgery, Porzingis contributed vital minutes in Game 1 despite coming off a calf injury.
Team Strategy During Recovery
In Porzingis' absence, veteran Al Horford is expected to start at center for the Celtics at the beginning of the season. Backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman will provide critical support during his recovery period. The staff does not seem overly concerned thanks to the depth and experience within the roster.
Stevens remained optimistic yet cautious. “Doing a good amount of stuff” has become Porzingis' mantra, and he remains "optimistic as always" about his path back to the court. The Celtics' management continues to closely monitor his progress while being pleased with the strides he has made thus far.
The Celtics and their fans are undoubtedly eager for Porzingis' return, but the primary focus remains on ensuring his full recovery. His resilience and the team’s depth give hope that the Celtics will be in good form as they await the big man's comeback.