Kristaps Porzingis’ Optimistic Recovery from Ankle Surgery
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is reportedly progressing well in his recovery from ankle surgery, which he underwent in late June. The Latvian big man has been diligently working to return to the court, maintaining a positive outlook throughout his rehabilitation process.
Porzingis, 29, found himself sidelined after tearing his medial retinaculum during Game 2 of the NBA Finals last season. Despite the injury, he played crucial minutes in subsequent games, demonstrating his resilience and commitment to the Celtics. Prior to the surgery, he also managed to contribute significantly in Game 1 while dealing with a calf injury.
Recovery Timeline
Initially, Porzingis was expected to be out for five to six months post-surgery. However, he is 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,” Porzingis said.
His recent rehabilitation milestones indicate good progress. Over the past weekend, Porzingis engaged in running and 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... and the most important is I felt really good the next day, too," he remarked, emphasizing his positive development.
Caution from the Celtics’ Staff
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," Stevens expressed.
While Porzingis feels confident in his recovery, the medical staff advises against rushing back onto the court. "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," said Porzingis.
Team Dynamics
As Porzingis works towards his comeback, veteran Al Horford is expected to take the starting center position at the beginning of the season. Backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman will provide additional support during Porzingis' recovery phase. The Celtics are looking forward to integrating Porzingis back into their lineup, but they remain patient and prudent.
Summarizing the current situation, Stevens conveyed optimism about Porzingis’ progress while refraining from setting a firm return date. "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 said.
Porzingis, for his part, remains upbeat and committed to his recovery, often stating his mantra of “doing a good amount of stuff” and staying “optimistic as always” about his return to the court. His determination, coupled with the careful management by the Celtics’ medical staff, bodes well for his anticipated comeback.
Fans and teammates alike are eagerly awaiting the return of the 7-foot-3 center, whose skill set and presence on the court could significantly bolster the Celtics' performance as they aim for another deep playoff run. Porzingis' return will undoubtedly be a significant moment for the Celtics, and based on current reports, that day might come sooner than initially expected.