Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is making significant strides in his recovery following ankle surgery in late June, and the Latvian big man is hopeful for a swift return to the court.
Porzingis, 29, underwent surgery expected to keep him sidelined for five to six months, but he has been working diligently to accelerate his recovery process. This past weekend marked a significant milestone in his rehab as he engaged in running and light contact drills, including one-on-one play.
His optimism shines through despite the cautious approach taken by the Celtics' staff, led by team president Brad Stevens. "The expectation is sometime in December, but I'm feeling really good and I'm working towards hopefully playing earlier than that," Porzingis remarked confidently.
Porzingis's enthusiasm is balanced by a pragmatic approach from the medical team. "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 added.
Stevens confirmed the upbeat outlook but emphasized the unique nature of the injury requires careful handling. "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."
Last season, Porzingis demonstrated remarkable resilience, playing through an ankle injury sustained during Game 2 of the NBA Finals, which culminated in a torn medial retinaculum. Despite the setback, he returned to play 16 minutes in Game 5 and had already battled a calf injury going into Game 1 of the finals.
As Porzingis continues his road to recovery, the Celtics are preparing for the new season with veteran Al Horford expected to start at center. In Porzingis's absence, backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman are anticipated to provide necessary support.
Porzingis remains focused on his rehabilitation, embracing each step forward with enthusiasm. "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 shared.
With such a driven and positive mindset, Porzingis is poised to make a noteworthy comeback. For now, the Celtics and their fans are eagerly watching his progress, hopeful that his return may bolster the team's prospects as they aim for another deep playoff run.
Kristaps Porzingis's determination and the meticulous care from the Celtics' medical team are integral to this recovery narrative. As he continues to advance through the stages of rehabilitation, the measured optimism surrounding his return is a testament to his resilience and commitment.