Kristaps Porzingis Optimistic About Swift Return Post-Surgery

Kristaps Porzingis Optimistic About Swift Return Post-Surgery

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is making strides in his recovery from ankle surgery, with an eye towards an early return to the court. The Latvian big man underwent surgery in late June, and despite an initial expected recovery period of five to six months, his current trajectory has given him optimism of playing as soon as December.

Porzingis, 29, has been diligently working to expedite his recovery process. Over the weekend, he advanced significantly by incorporating running and light contact drills, including one-on-one plays, into his rehabilitation routine. "I think I've started the next stage now as I got here," said Porzingis. "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."

Despite his unyielding optimism, the Celtics' staff remains cautious, given the unique nature of his injury. Celtics' team president Brad Stevens emphasized the importance of not rushing the recovery process. "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," said Stevens.

Last season, Porzingis showed his resilience by playing through an ankle injury sustained in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, where he tore his medial retinaculum. Remarkably, he returned to the court in Game 5, contributing 16 minutes despite the injury. Additionally, he also played pivotal minutes in Game 1 coming off a calf injury, showcasing his commitment and durability.

As Porzingis continues his rehabilitation, veteran center Al Horford is expected to start at the beginning of the season for the Celtics. Meanwhile, backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman will provide essential support during Porzingis' recovery phase. The depth and versatility offered by these players will be crucial in maintaining the team's competitiveness in the early part of the season.

Porzingis has retained an optimistic demeanor throughout his recovery. "The expectation is sometime in December, but I'm feeling really good and I'm working towards hopefully playing earlier than that," Porzingis remarked. He reiterated the importance of a cautious approach but also expressed confidence in his progress. "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."

With numerous hurdles cleared in his path to recovery, Porzingis remains focused and diligent. "Doing a good amount of stuff" has been his mantra, and he remains "optimistic as always" about his path back to the court.

As Celtics fans eagerly await his return, the encouraging updates from Porzingis and the cautious yet optimistic approach from the team's staff paint a promising picture for his comeback. While December appears to be the target, the organization will undoubtedly prioritize his long-term health and impact, ensuring that he returns fully fit and ready to contribute to the Celtics' aspirations this season.