Having recovered back to full strength after foot surgery in late June, Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis produced a 16-point, 6-rebound outing with a pair of assists and blocks during the defending champions’ 126-94 win over the LA Clippers overnight. While the overall result was pleasing, they’ll be happier welcoming this sight back into the fold – hoping he can finally stay healthy.
Mazzulla: Porzingis’ consistency key in reaching this point
AL Horford (illness) and Luke Kornet (hamstring) were both absentees, while the Celtics were spoiled with efficiency from the ever-improving Payton Pritchard and Portuguese reserve center Neemias Queta during an enjoyable blowout win over a Western Conference adversary but the main headline: Kristaps Porzingis is back.
The skilled Latvian belatedly enters his ninth season after helping Boston clinch the NBA title and his two-game hot streak to start the Finals against former ball club Dallas will live long in folklore, such was the effervescence and refreshing ease he played with – helping free up teammates in a way many once expected to be the case alongside Luka Doncic years prior. Yet injury again curtailed his fun.
Having averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.9 blocks per game last season, the 29-year-old sustained a rare tendon injury after recovering from a calf strain to much fanfare and this time around, has beaten the original post-surgery timeframe for his return – just under five months, rather than Christmas or early 2025.
Porzingis has completed scrimmages in recent weeks, both with the Celtics and their G League affiliate, Maine. Head coach Joe Mazzulla praised the big man’s work ethic during another trying period and was quoted saying the following by ESPN:
“He has worked hard, he’s in good shape. We’ll put him in position to be healthy, be successful and do what’s best for the team. He’s been pretty consistent, just based on his work ethic and what he’s done to get to this point.”
While it’s impossible to prevent injuries completely, Boston set metrics for Porzingis to reach during his rehab process over the summer, ensuring he had balance in his body to ease the healing of last season’s leg issue. He underwent surgery to fix a tear in the tissue holding the ankle tendons in place, limiting him to seven playoff games.
Picture source: Getty Images
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