Kristaps Porzingis is nearing his return.
The 29-year-old has been sidelined all season as he recovers from offseason surgery to repair a torn retinaculum and a dislocated posterior tibialis tendon. On Monday, the team announced he has reached the next phase of his recovery.
Porzingis, along with Xavier Tillman, will practice with the Maine Celtics at the Auerbach Center on Monday afternoon. Afterward, both will be recalled to the Boston Celtics, where Porzingis will continue to ramp up his workload. Tillman, who has fallen out of the rotation as of late, is likely going with him to get some extra run and provide NBA-level competition.
Last season, Porzingis averaged 20.1 points on a career-best 51.6% shooting from the field and 37.5% from three-point range, with 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.9 blocks over 57 games. He has remained close to the team throughout his recovery, traveling on road trips and making his presence felt on the bench.
"He was very verbal," Jaylen Brown said following last week's win in Brooklyn. "He was in his coaching bag, giving guys what he was seeing out there. That's a good sign. That's a good signal that he's getting close. He's getting ready. His mind, his spirit is out there with us. We can't wait to welcome him back."
Porzingis has been spotted on the sideline, actively engaging with teammates, providing tips and encouragement throughout the games.
"I think that's important, especially for a guy that's not playing, to be as engaged as he is," head coach Joe Mazzulla said. "It makes it easier, as he starts to come back, to just plug him right in because he's been here the whole time. That's a commitment. It's hard to sit there day in and day out to do that."
The Latvian-born center has also participated in light drills during practice and before games. Last week, head Mazzulla noted that Porzingis was "getting there."
"I'm looking forward to him coming back, even doing some drills with him. He makes the game so much easier with his length and being able to protect the rim," Holiday said. "And then, offensively, he makes the game so much easier for everybody. Creating space for driving lanes of three-point shots, not being able to switch off of him, or when he gets a switch, him being able to take advantage of that. I can't wait for him to come back."
Porzingis underwent surgery in late June with a recovery timeline of five to six months, aiming for a December return. However, the 7-foot-2 big man has recovered smoothly, possibly even ahead of the Celtics' expectations.
"I don't know that we're interested in putting a timeline on him because the injury is unique. But as far as how he feels and the progress that he's made, I'd say we're very, very pleased with where he is," Brad Stevens said on Media Day in October. "Maybe a little surprised."
The Celtics were 49-15 (including playoffs) with Porzingis in the lineup last season. Now, at 11-3, Boston could be welcoming back a key piece to the puzzle—one who can elevate them on both ends of the floor.
