Porzingis provides constructive replace on his damage rehab for Celtics
Porzingis provides constructive replace on his damage rehab for Celtics initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Boston
The Boston Celtics will not have Kristaps Porzingis beginning at middle after they host the New York Knicks and lift their 2024 NBA championship banner at TD Backyard on Oct. 22.
Nevertheless it’s potential the 7-foot-2 massive man might be again on the ground earlier than the calendar turns to 2025 as he rehabs from a left ankle damage.
“The expectation is someday in December,” Porzingis advised ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. “However I am feeling actually good and I am working in the direction of hopefully enjoying sooner than that.”
Porzingis additionally gave an replace on his rehab throughout his Celtics Media Day press convention Tuesday.
“Bought the surgical procedure performed proper after the parade. After which it was three or 4 weeks or so at dwelling, hanging out,” Porzingis stated. “Then I used to be in a position to begin to do extra in August, and now finish of September I’ve already been doing a superb quantity of stuff and feeling good. Trying ahead to maintain making progress at this charge and hopefully be on the market with the fellows as quickly as potential.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens wasn’t as keen to provide a definitive timeline, however does sound happy with the progress Porzingis’ is making to get again on the court docket.
“(The damage is) distinctive sufficient that we can’t clearly rush something,” Stevens advised Shelburne. “However I might say that if we now have a timeline in our head, we’re very, very inspired by the place he’s.”
Porzingis performed incredible in his first season with the Celtics.
He averaged 20.1 factors and seven.2 rebounds per sport, whereas taking pictures 37.5 p.c from 3-point vary. He performed in 56 common season video games, then missed 12 of the crew’s 19 playoff video games after struggling a leg damage within the first spherical towards the Miami Warmth. Porzingis returned within the NBA Finals and gave a terrific efficiency in a Sport 1 win. He suffered his present damage in Sport 2 of the sequence, though he did make an look within the title-clinching Sport 5.
The Celtics can and must be affected person with Porzigins. He sounds fairly desirous to get again, which is comprehensible, however this course of should not be rushed. Regardless that the C’s had loads of success with out him final season, he is nonetheless a vital piece to this roster and makes the crew a lot harder to beat when he is on the ground.
Al Horford is greater than able to stepping in because the beginning middle whereas Porzingis is out. Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman Sr. may give high quality minutes in that spot, too.
Observe NBC Sports activities Boston’s protection of Celtics Media Day all through Tuesday within the video participant under: