Porzingis Progresses on Road to Recovery
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is patiently working toward a return to action after undergoing ankle surgery in late June. The 29-year-old Latvian, who has been diligently pursuing his recovery, was initially projected to be out of commission for five to six months. However, Porzingis is eyeing a return as early as December, signaling optimism about his 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, capturing the essence of his hopeful outlook.
In recent days, the Celtics' big man has taken significant strides in his rehabilitation process. Participating in running drills and light contact activities, including one-on-one sessions, Porzingis is demonstrating steady improvement in his conditioning.
"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," he stated, expressing satisfaction with his rehabilitation. "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."
Despite his enthusiasm, the Celtics' medical team, led by team president Brad Stevens, remains cautious. They prefer to avoid rushing his return, given the complexities of his injury. Porzingis had sustained a tear in his medial retinaculum during Game 2 of the NBA Finals last season, an injury that he exacerbated by playing through the pain in subsequent games. The injury history emphasizes the need for a careful, measured approach.
"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 admitted, reflecting both his eagerness to return and his respect for the professionals guiding his recovery.
Brad Stevens also echoed this cautious optimism. "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 remarked. "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."
The Celtics are preparing for the start of the season with veteran Al Horford expected to fill in at center. Backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman will also be ready to step in as needed, ensuring that the team can sustain Porzingis' absence without undue strain.
The medical team's conservative approach comes from lessons learned from the past season, where Porzingis played crucial minutes in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a preceding calf injury and managed to return for Game 5 in a limited capacity after his ankle injury. The decision to prioritize long-term health over immediate returns stands as a testament to the Celtics' commitment to their player's well-being.
As Porzingis continues his journey back to full strength, his own words underscore his mindset: "Doing a good amount of stuff" has been his mantra, and he remains "optimistic as always" about his path back to the court.
With the support of the Celtics' staff and his own relentless determination, Kristaps Porzingis is setting the stage for a hopeful and triumphant return. While his journey is still unfolding, both he and the team are encouraged by the progress made so far.