Porzingis Eyes Early Return After Successful Ankle Surgery
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is optimistic about making a swift return to the court following ankle surgery in late June. The 29-year-old Latvian has been dedicated to his rehabilitation, aiming for a comeback sooner than initially anticipated.
Porzingis was expected to be out for five to six months following the surgery but is hopeful to be back in action as early as December. Over the weekend, he marked significant progress in his recovery by engaging in running and light contact drills, including one-on-one play. "The expectation is sometime in December, but I'm feeling really good and I'm working towards hopefully playing earlier than that," Porzingis shared.
The Celtics' team president, Brad Stevens, emphasized a cautious approach to Porzingis' rehabilitation due to the unique nature of his injury. Porzingis sustained a torn medial retinaculum during Game 2 of last season's NBA Finals but managed to deliver critical minutes for his team despite the injury. "Kristaps obviously had the surgery that was well documented after the year and seems to be recovering well," said Stevens. "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."
Porzingis' enthusiasm is palpable as he discusses his journey back to full fitness. "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 said. This positive outlook is matched by his disciplined approach to recovery under the guidance of medical professionals. "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."
The Celtics are preparing for the upcoming season with veteran Al Horford expected to start at center, while backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman will provide support during Porzingis' absence. Stevens expressed confidence in Porzingis' recovery without committing to a specific timeline. "Doing a good amount of stuff" has been his mantra, and he remains "optimistic as always" about his path back to the court.
Porzingis' resilience is well-documented. Despite sustaining injuries during last season's NBA Finals, including a calf strain before Game 1 and an ankle injury in Game 2, he played pivotal minutes for the Celtics. His demonstrated commitment to the sport and his team is further highlighted by his determination to recover swiftly and safely from the recent surgery.
As the Celtics and their fans monitor his progress, Porzingis' optimism and dedication to his rehabilitation offer a promising outlook. His return could provide a significant boost to the team as they aim for a successful season. For now, the Latvian center continues to work hard, hopeful of an early return while adhering to the cautious timeline set by the medical team.