The Celtics didn’t miss a beat after the first week of the NBA season, which makes the eventual return of Kristaps Porzingis that much scarier for the league.
Boston commanded the No. 1 offense after the first four games of the season. There’s little sign of a championship hangover, but the C’s will need Porzingis to give themselves a better chance to repeat as NBA champions.
The star center underwent surgery to repair a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon in his ankle shortly after the Celtics claimed the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Porzingis provided a positive update before the season started, and president of basketball operations Brad Stevens seemed to like how the 29-year-old was tracking with his rehab. Porzingis was expected to be out until early December.
ESPN’s Shams Charania confirmed that timeline on the “Pat McAfee Show.”
“The Celtics are targeting December from what I’m told for Kristaps Porzingis and his return,” Charania said during a Tuesday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “And there was video I was seeing last (Monday) night of him warming up before the game.”
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If Boston keeps up its pace, it won’t need to rush Porzingis back. Despite his eye-popping quotes, Joe Mazzulla did well last season to manage his players and keep his team fresh for the playoffs. It would not be a surprise if Porzingis started off on a minutes limit if he reached his December return date.
Featured image via David Butler II/Imagn Images
