Kristaps Porzingis Optimistic About Swift Return Following Ankle Surgery
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is eagerly anticipating a return to the court after undergoing ankle surgery in late June. The 29-year-old Latvian has been working diligently in his rehabilitation efforts, aiming for an earlier-than-expected comeback.
Initially, Porzingis was projected to be sidelined for five to six months post-surgery. However, he has set his sights on a December return, buoyed by recent progress in his recovery. Over the weekend, Porzingis made notable strides by engaging in light contact drills, including some 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 revealed, reflecting his optimistic outlook. His determination and dedication to his rehabilitation have not gone unnoticed by the Celtics' medical staff.
Brad Stevens, the Celtics' team president, underscored the importance of caution given the unique nature of Porzingis' injury. "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 stated.
Porzingis' injury woes began during the NBA Finals last season. He played through an ankle injury sustained in Game 2, tearing his medial retinaculum. Despite the setback, Porzingis returned to play 16 minutes in Game 5, exhibiting remarkable resilience. He had also played pivotal minutes in Game 1 despite a calf injury he was nursing at the time.
As Porzingis continues his recovery, veteran Al Horford is expected to start at center for the Celtics at the beginning of the season. Backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman will provide additional support during this period of transition.
Throughout his recovery process, Porzingis has been mindful of not rushing back prematurely. "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 shared, emphasizing his commitment to following medical advice while remaining hopeful for an expedited return.
Porzingis' progress has been steady, and he remains positive about his path back to the court. "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 said.
The Celtics' faithful have reason to be encouraged by Porzingis' recent updates. As the season progresses, his return will undoubtedly provide a significant boost to the team, which has been relying on his presence in crucial moments.
Porzingis' determination and optimistic approach serve as a testament to his commitment to the game and his teammates. As he continues to make strides, the Celtics' future looks promising with the return of their dynamic center inching closer.