DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis is feeling optimistic about his chances of returning to the lineup sooner than expected.
Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said Tuesday that Porzingis will be out until "at least January," leaving the big man's status up in the air for the beginning of the season.
However, during a visit with the media on Thursday, Porzingis said he'd like to play in the Mavericks Christmas night matchup vs the Lakers.
"I feel good. I mean, I'm making big steps forward in my progress. I just want to be out there as soon as possible. I want to be out there for Christmas and play those games. ... That's me talking. That's not the medical staff," he said, via Callie Caplan of the Dallas Morning News.
Porzingis then went on to be a little less optimistic, but that's likely because he knows the team's medical staff will be extra cautious with clearing him to return to the court.
"I might just miss a few games early in the season," he added.
Porzingis underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus this offseason after suffering the injury in the Mavs first-round playoff loss to the Clippers this past summer.
"I was heartbroken," he said, via Brad Townsend of the DMN, of missing the end of the series. "But as soon as I found out, I said, 'How long am I going to be sad like this?' It was on to the next thing, get my leg ready for the season."
As for how his recovery is going compared to when he torn his ACL while with the Knicks more than two years ago.
"(It's) a piece of cake."
