Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is showing positive signs as he recovers from ankle surgery undergone in late June. The optimism surrounding his rehabilitation is palpable, with the 29-year-old Latvian making significant strides towards an earlier-than-expected return to the court.
"The expectation is sometime in December," Porzingis said, "but I'm feeling really good and I'm working towards hopefully playing earlier than that."
Porzingis’ Steady Recovery
Despite the initial prognosis predicting a five to six months recovery period, Porzingis has been working diligently to accelerate his comeback. Over the weekend, he made notable progress by running and engaging in light contact drills, including one-on-one play.
"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," Porzingis said. "The most important is I felt really good the next day, too. So yeah, looking forward to ramping up even more."
Cautious Optimism from the Team
The Celtics' medical staff, under the leadership of team president Brad Stevens, has emphasized a cautious approach given the unique nature of his injury. Porzingis sustained a tear of his medial retinaculum during Game 2 of the NBA Finals last season but had managed to play through it, contributing significant minutes despite the setback.
"Kristaps obviously had the surgery that was well documented after the year and seems to be recovering well. He's very optimistic," Stevens remarked. "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."
Even though Porzingis played pivotal minutes in Game 1 of the NBA Finals earlier in the season, enduring a calf injury, the Celtics are keen on ensuring a thorough recovery this time around. Veteran center Al Horford is expected to fill the starting position at the beginning of the season, while backups Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman will offer support during Porzingis' absence.
Porzingis' Determination
Porzingis himself remains intensely focused and committed to his rehabilitation, eager to make a swift return while respecting the guidance of medical professionals.
"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 said.
His unrelenting optimism and dedication have been a source of motivation, both for himself and the team. "Doing a good amount of stuff" has been his mantra, and he remains "optimistic as always" about his path back to the court.
No Set Timetable
With Porzingis making significant headway in his recovery process, the Celtics' decision not to set a concrete timeline allows for flexibility and avoids the pressure of a premature return. The focus remains on ensuring his full health and readiness before he steps back on the court.
The encouraging signs in his rehabilitation journey have fueled hopes within the organization for a successful comeback. "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 reiterated, expressing a sentiment of cautious optimism shared by both the medical staff and fans alike.