Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis Sheds Light On Injury Heading Into Training Camp

Boston — Kristaps Porzingis isn’t 100%, but that doesn’t mean that the 7-foot-2 center

isn’t capable of engaging in any of the training camp festivities with Celtics team mates

ready for a clean slate starting Oct. 22.

Porzingis underwent surgery to repair a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon

in his left ankle only weeks after Boston earned its record-setting 18th championship banner

by defeating the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.

For the majority of the tournament, the Celtics rested Porzingis,

starting him in just 12 of the team’s 19 postseason games. However, in the Game 5 championship,

Porzingis played 16 minutes before confetti began to rain down on TD Garden.

With a smile on his face, no walking boot on, and a positive view for the future,

Porzingis gave a good update on the injury that had previously been scheduled to keep

the 29-year-old out of action for five to six months.

“It’s evident that I have nothing on me. Porzingis said, “I’m running on the court,

shooting normal,” during the Auerbach Center’s media day on Tuesday.

“A lot of stuff, honestly. Thus, I’ve already engaged in some mild contact activities

(during the last weekend). felt great after that. We had a pretty positive indication the other day,

and I am optimistic asalways.”

In order to acquire Porzingis, Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens

did not hold back. He traded Marcus Smart, a fan favorite, to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange

for Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala, and the No. 35 pick in the 2023 draft

(to the Washington Wizards), who was once the “Unicorn” of the New York Knicks.

That swap came with an inherent risk factor attached, that being Porzingis’ recent stretch

of injuries which began during his age-23 run—a season-ending ACL tear —

with the Knicks in 2018-19. From there, Porzingis logged fewer than 60 appearances

for three consecutive seasons before playing 57 games and average

20.1 points while debuting with Boston.

One of the biggest obstacles the Celtics will face in their quest to win the title again

is adjusting to life without Porzingis. Al Horford, their 38-year-old unofficial sixth man

from the previous campaign, is available off the bench to mix and match along with Luke Kornet,

Neemias Queta, and Xavier Tillman. Tillman (knee) and Kornet (wrist) also had offseason surgery.

It will be difficult to replace Porzingis, a reliable scorer with All-Star defensive and rebounding skills.

But for the time being, Porzingis isn’t allowing his impending early season absence get to him.

“This is my 10th season. Every year, I look forward to training camp and the start of the season.

” Porzingis said. It resembles the first day of classes. After the training camp, there’s a war,

and before you know it, the regular season begins, and you’re back in the groove.”