Excitement fills the air for Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis as he discusses his recovery from offseason ankle surgery. Optimistic about returning to play without missing a beat, Porzingis expressed his eagerness to rejoin the team soon.
During media day at the team’s practice facility, he shared, “I’ve been doing a good amount of stuff, doing pretty good.” Porzingis aims to maintain his progress and return to action as quickly as possible.
He mentioned to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne that he could potentially be back by December, which would be on the earlier end of the 5- to 6-month recovery timeline following surgery for a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon in June, just after the Boston championship parade.
When he approached the podium, Porzingis displayed a wide smile and, notably, a normal gait without any limp. In terms of his current abilities, he reported, “I’m running, I’m on the court, shooting normal.”
He had even participated in his first light-contact workout over the weekend, expressing confidence in his recovery. “It felt really good afterwards,” he said, highlighting his ongoing optimism.
The Celtics opened their practice facility earlier than the rest of the league due to their upcoming preseason trip to Abu Dhabi for a game against the Denver Nuggets.
Last season marked a significant moment for Porzingis, as he joined the Celtics via trade and became an NBA champion. After overcoming a calf strain during the playoffs, he managed to play in three Finals games despite suffering a rare tendon injury in Game 2.
Although he arrived in Boston facing skepticism about his impact on winning, Porzingis answered those questions through his performance last season. He remains eager to prove himself further and contribute to Boston’s pursuit of back-to-back titles.
“I’m still extremely hungry,” he stated, emphasizing that he still has much to demonstrate in his own eyes as he aims to maintain his health throughout the playoff run.
While Porzingis continues his recovery, the Celtics will rely on several players to fill the center position during the early part of the season. This group includes veteran Al Horford, who is beginning his 18th NBA season, along with Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman, and Neemias Queta.
Horford noted on Tuesday that retirement was never a consideration for him this summer, indicating he has no limits on his playing longevity after turning 38 during the NBA Finals. Like last season, he is expected to play in only half of back-to-backs and will likely start when available until Porzingis returns.
Kornet and Tillman have both recovered from offseason surgeries and are ready to participate in training camp. Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens expressed optimism regarding the team’s health, particularly highlighting Porzingis’s recovery.
He acknowledged the unique nature of Porzingis’s injury but conveyed satisfaction with his progress, stating, “We’re very, very pleased with where he is, and maybe a little surprised.”