Porzingis Eyes Early Return Post-Surgery: 'Feeling Really Good'
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is on the road to recovery and hopeful for an early return following his ankle surgery in late June. The 29-year-old Latvian has been actively working to speed up his rehabilitation process, aiming to return to the court as early as December.
Porzingis's surgery, initially projected to sideline him for five to six months, was necessary for treating an injury sustained during a critical juncture of the previous season. Despite playing pivotal minutes in Game 1 of the NBA Finals with a calf injury, Porzingis faced another setback, tearing his medial retinaculum in Game 2. Remarkably, he played through the pain in Game 5, logging 16 minutes on the court.
Optimism Surrounds Porzingis's Return
This weekend, Porzingis made significant strides in his rehab, engaging in running and light contact drills, which included 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. His enthusiasm is tempered by the Celtics’ cautious approach, encouraged by the medical staff led by team president Brad Stevens.
"Kristaps obviously had the surgery that was well documented after the year and seems to be recovering well," Stevens stated. "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."
Next Stage of Rehabilitation
With the start of his next rehabilitation stage, which involved running and light contact drills, Porzingis felt positive about his progress. "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 explained.
The medical team's advice remains clear: caution is paramount. "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 added.
A Veteran's Presence and Team Dynamics
As Porzingis continues his recovery, veteran Al Horford is expected to start at center when the season kicks off. Horford's experience will undoubtedly anchor the team in Porzingis's absence. Additionally, backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman will be essential in providing the necessary support to maintain the team's competitive edge.
Porzingis's enthusiasm is matched by a realistic outlook, both on his part and from the team’s management. "Doing a good amount of stuff" has been his mantra, and he remains "optimistic as always" about his path back to the court.
While no concrete timeline has been set by the Celtics, Porzingis's progress and his evident determination are promising signs for Boston fans. A swift return would not only bolster the Celtics' lineup but also mark a triumphant comeback for a player eager to make his mark in the upcoming season.