Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is steadily progressing in his recovery from ankle surgery, a procedure he underwent in late June. The 29-year-old Latvian big man has demonstrated a relentless commitment to speeding up his rehabilitation process, with an eye on a potential return as early as December.
Initially, the timeline for Porzingis’ recovery suggested a five to six-month hiatus from the court. However, recent developments have been promising. Over the weekend, Porzingis took significant strides in his rehab journey by running and engaging in light contact drills, including one-on-one play. His recovery trajectory has garnered attention and optimism within the Celtics' organization, though caution remains the guiding principle.
"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 shared, reflecting his enthusiasm and progress.
The unique nature of his injury necessitates a cautious approach, emphasized by the Celtics' staff, including team president Brad Stevens. Despite the carefully measured optimism, Stevens refrained from setting a concrete timeline for Porzingis' return to gameplay.
"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, highlighting the balance between optimism and prudence.
Last season, Porzingis played through significant adversity, including an ankle injury that he sustained in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, which resulted in a torn medial retinaculum. Remarkably, he returned to play pivotal minutes in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite also managing a calf injury. His resilience was on full display in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, where he played 16 minutes despite his injury.
Reflecting on his rehabilitation progress, Porzingis noted, "Doing a good amount of stuff" has been his mantra, and he remains "optimistic as always" about his path back to the court. His determination is unmistakable, though he acknowledges the medical staff’s guiding hand in ensuring a careful and thorough 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," Porzingis stated, underscoring his internal drive balanced by professional advisement.
The Celtics are preparing for the upcoming season with veteran Al Horford anticipated to start at center in Porzingis' absence. Backup players Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman are expected to provide additional support, ensuring the team remains competitive as Porzingis continues his rehabilitation.
Despite the challenges, Porzingis’ progress has been a beacon of hope for both him and the Celtics organization. With cautious optimism, the team looks forward to his anticipated return, which could come sooner than initially projected.
"The expectation is sometime in December, but I'm feeling really good and I'm working towards hopefully playing earlier than that," Porzingis revealed. His positive outlook serves as an inspiration, signaling a promising return for the Celtics' center as they prepare for another competitive season.