Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis Sheds Light On Injury Heading Into Training Camp

BOSTON — Kristaps Porzingis isn’t 100%, but that doesn’t mean that the 7-foot-2 center isn’t capable of participating in any of the training camp festivities alongside Celtics teammates preparing for a clean slate starting Oct. 22.

Porzingis underwent surgery to repair a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon in his left ankle just weeks after Boston captured its record-setting 18th championship banner by defeating the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals. The Celtics took a cautionary approach with Porzingis for most of the postseason, sitting 12 of the team’s 19 total postseason battles, but gave Porzingis 16 minutes in the Game 5 clincher before confetti flooded TD Garden. Now, with a smile, no walking boot, and an optimistic outlook for what’s ahead, Porzingis provided a good update regarding the injury that initially booked the 29-year-old for an estimated five-to-six-month recovery absence.

“I’m walking obviously with nothing. I’m running on the court, shooting normal,” Porzingis revealed at Tuesday’s media day at Auerbach Center. “A lot of stuff, honestly. So I’m already kind of (doing) some light contact (this past weekend) doing some stuff. Felt really good afterward. I think it’s a really good sign that we had from the other day and, again, I’m optimistic as always.”

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Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens didn’t hold back in acquiring Porzingis last offseason, flipping fan-favorite Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for and Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala, and the No. 35 pick in the 2023 draft (to the Washington Wizards) for the former New York Knicks’ “Unicorn.” That swap came with an inherent risk factor attached, that being Porzingis’ recent stretch of injuries which began during his age-23 run — a season-ending ACL tear — with the Knicks in 2018-19. From there, Porzingis logged fewer than 60 appearances for three consecutive seasons before playing 57 games and averaging 20.1 points while debuting with Boston.

Adapting without Porzingis will be mandatory among the most critical challenges the Celtics will face to begin their bid at repeating as champions. They have Al Horford, their 38-year-old unofficial sixth man from last season, plus Luke Kornet, Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman off the bench to mix and plug. Kornet (wrist) and Tillman (knee) both underwent offseason surgeries as well. Sustaining the loss of Porzingis, a steady scorer who can rebound and defend at an All-Star level, is far from easy, but for now, Porzingis isn’t letting the upcoming early season absence consume him.

“This is my 10th season. I’m always excited for the beginning of the season, the training camp,” Porzingis said. “It’s like the first day of school. You start the training camp then it’s a war out there and, boom, the regular season starts and you’re back into that rhythm.”