Should there be real concern with Porzingis injury?
After days of speculation regarding Kristaps Porzingis' injured foot, the Boston Celtics have now released an official medical update on their big (no pun intended) offseason acquisition.
"Celtics forward/center Kristaps Porzingis has been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in his right foot," the team said in a statement. "He will engage in a four-to-six-week rehab program, and is expected to be cleared for the start of training camp."
Porzingis had announced on Tuesday that he would not be able to play for his home country of Latvia in the upcoming FIBA World Cup because of the injury, writing in part that "several weeks of recovery" were not enough to clear him for competition just yet.
That led to some concern that the injury could linger into the NBA season, as plantar fasciitis -- an inflammation of tissue in the foot that causes heel pain -- is a notoriously tough injury to shake.
The Celtics' update, however, sounds encouraging. There is still plenty of time for Porzingis to rest and rehab before the season, and if he really is ready for the start of training camp, then he shouldn't miss any game action.
Porzingis, acquired in the trade that sent Marcus Smart to Memphis, is expected to be the Celtics' new No. 3 option behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, so his status and availability will certainly be a story to monitor heading into the season.