Brad Stevens Gives Injury Update On Celtics Star Kristaps Porzingis

BOSTON -- The offseason for Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis was spent celebrating an NBA title and rehabbing an injury.

Porzingis underwent surgery to repair a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon in his ankle shortly after the Celtics got their hands on the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Porzingis, who played in just seven of Boston's 19 playoff games, suffered the injury in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

The 7-foot-2 center is expected to be out until early December and he appears to at least be on track for that return given what Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said Tuesday at the team's media day.

"He seems to be recovering well. He's very optimistic," Stevens said. "I don't know that we're interested in putting a timeline on it because the injury's unique. But as far as how he feels and the progress that he's made I'd said we're very, very pleased with where he is and maybe a little surprised."

Porzingis took the Celtics to another level in his first season with Boston. He averaged 20.1 points per game on 37.5% 3-point shooting with 7.2 rebounds.

The Celtics don't have much depth behind the Latvia native at the center spot. Al Horford is set to enter his age-38 season and Stevens revealed backup big men Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman also underwent offseason surgeries. Kornet had wrist surgery at the conclusion of last season and Tillman had a knee scope at the end of July, but both are cleared to practice.

Porzingis currently is with the team, but it's unclear exactly how much he will be able to do early on. And it's likely the Celtics will proceed with caution, hoping to keep their all-important center healthy for a playoff run, unlike last season.