Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is steadily progressing toward a return to the court, following ankle surgery that sidelined him in late June. The Latvian big man remains optimistic about a sooner-than-expected comeback.
Porzingis, who turned 29 earlier this year, has been dedicated to accelerating his recovery process. Initially, the prognosis suggested a five to six-month recovery period post-surgery, positioning his return around December. However, Porzingis is hopeful he might make an appearance earlier.
"The expectation is sometime in December, but I'm feeling really good and I'm working towards hopefully playing earlier than that," Porzingis shared, highlighting his commitment and optimism.
Key Rehabilitation Milestones
Over the past weekend, Porzingis marked significant milestones in his rehabilitation journey. Progressing to running and engaging in light contact drills, including one-on-one play, he expressed satisfaction with his performance.
"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 explained.
Boston Celtics' management, particularly team president Brad Stevens, has remained cautiously optimistic about Porzingis' recovery. Stressing the importance of not rushing the process, Stevens emphasized that the injury's unique nature requires careful management.
"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.
History of Playing Through Pain
Porzingis' resilience isn't in question. Last season, he pushed through an ankle injury sustained in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, tearing his medial retinaculum. Despite this, he returned to play pivotal minutes in Game 1, even after dealing with a calf injury.
In Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Porzingis showed remarkable determination by participating for 16 minutes despite his ankle struggles. His ability to perform under such circumstances speaks volumes about his commitment and toughness.
Celtics' Current Strategy
Until Porzingis is fully ready to rejoin the lineup, veteran Al Horford is expected to start at center. The team will also rely on backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman to provide necessary support during Porzingis' recovery.
Stevens, while acknowledging Porzingis' impressive progress, refrained from setting a definitive timeline for his return, reiterating the tailored and cautious approach being taken by the medical team.
Optimism and Patience
Porzingis remains upbeat about his rehabilitation journey. "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 commented.
Indeed, Porzingis has adopted a mantra of "doing a good amount of stuff," and stays "optimistic as always" about his path back to the court. His positive outlook, combined with the careful guidance from the Celtics' medical staff, bodes well for his eventual return.
As the new NBA season approaches, Celtics fans and management alike will be eagerly watching Porzingis' progress. His successful return could significantly bolster the team's aspirations. For now, the focus remains on ensuring he comes back stronger and fully prepared to contribute at the highest level.