NBA insider provides update on Kristaps Porzingis' injury recovery
The Boston Celtics will be without Kristaps Porzingis when they begin their title defense on Oct. 22 against the New York Knicks. ESPN's NBA insider Tim Bontemps has given an update on Porzingis' recovery from surgery, with the star expected to be sidelined for the first couple of months of the season.
The big is recovering after undergoing surgery in late June to repair his torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg. Bontemps also added that the Celtics are expected to start veteran big Al Horford in his absence. They also have reserve centers in Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman and Neemias Queta.
"His recovery has gone along without incident so far, but Porzingis is expected to be out for at least the first couple months of the season," Bontemps said.
Reports indicate that Boston will be looking at a window between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Celtics will sorely miss dynamic rebounding in the big missing ample game time and will also lack his size on the defensive end. The absence also dents their chances of remaining top seed.
"He is on the right timeline": Celtics' President of Basketball Operations offers injury update on Kristaps Porzingis
Earlier, Brad Stevens made a similar statement to what Bontemps did when discussing Kristaps Porzingis' recovery. The Boston Celtics' President of Basketball Operations said it would be "a while" before the center would take the floor. Speaking to the Boston Globe last month, he said:
"He's in Latvia. He's starting to do more and more and more. He was in a boot for a while there, but every indication is he's progressing well and he's on the right timeline. But it's going to be a while."
Per Basketball Reference, Porzingis is projected to average 24.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists next season. In his first season with the East powerhouse, he averaged 20.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg and 2.0 apg.
The good news was that Boston went 31-6 overall when Kristaps Porzingis was out of the lineup due to injuries, including playoff contests. Only time will tell if Celtics can have the same run with one of their best defensive players sidelined. For now, Boston continues to stay optimistic with their center's progress.