Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis Reveals Timeline For Return From Injury

Kristaps Porzingis won’t be ready for game action when the Boston Celtics begin their title defense Oct. 22 against the New York Knicks at TD Garden.

The C’s won’t be counting on him to even be practicing by then.

Porzingis suffered ankle/foot injuries in the postseason, which ultimately required him to undergo surgery to repair a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon in June. What does that mean? Boston is in no rush to get the 29-year-old back on the court, as the rare injury is something it fully intends on being cautious with — but only if it’s necessary.

“The expectation is sometime in December,” Porzingis told ESPN. “I’m feeling really good and I’m working towards hopefully playing earlier than that.”

The Celtics issued a few sobering updates on Porzingis throughout the offseason, but with each passing week, it seems as though he’s shaving time off the initial timeline.

“He’s very optimistic,” Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said Tuesday, per Brian Robb of MassLive. “We’re very pleased with where he is and maybe a little surprised.”

It’s silly to expect a rushed return, especially when you consider all the talent that surrounds Porzingis on the roster. The Celtics will take their time, but at least they can do that knowing things are trending in the right direction.