The defending champion Boston Celtics are kicking off their preparations for the 2024-25 season early this year, with media day and the start of training camp underway before they head overseas for a preseason showdown against the Denver Nuggets in Abu Dhabi.
However, one key player will be missing from on-court activities—center Kristaps Porzingis, who is still recovering from ankle surgery following an injury he sustained against the Dallas Mavericks during the NBA Finals.
When the Celtics announced Porzingis’s surgery back in June, they projected a recovery timeline of five to six months. This estimation placed his return somewhere between November and January of the upcoming season. However, in a recent update to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Porzingis offered a more optimistic outlook on his recovery.
“The expectation is sometime in December,” Porzingis shared. “But I’m feeling really good, and I’m working towards hopefully playing earlier than that.”
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Boston has good reason to hope for a speedy return. While they managed to capture their 18th NBA championship without Porzingis for much of the postseason, his presence brings a different dynamic to the team. The Celtics relied on veteran Al Horford to fill the starting center role, and his stellar play helped the team stay on course for the title. But Porzingis’s incredible performance in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, before his injury, showed how much higher the team’s ceiling can be when he’s healthy and contributing.
Porzingis’s ability to stretch the floor with his shooting, combined with his rim protection, provides the Celtics with a unique advantage that few teams can match. While Boston has proven they can win without him, his presence offers the opportunity to elevate their play to an even higher level.
In the meantime, the Celtics will continue to rely heavily on the 38-year-old Horford to hold down the starting center position. Horford’s leadership and experience will be crucial as Boston navigates the early part of the season without Porzingis. Behind Horford, the Celtics will utilize a rotation that includes Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman, and Neemias Queta. Despite some speculation about adding additional center depth, Boston decided to stick with its current roster, trusting that Porzingis’s recovery is on track and that Horford and his backups can shoulder the load until his return.
Porzingis’s positive outlook is a promising sign for the Celtics, who are aiming to defend their championship and build on their success. If his recovery continues to progress smoothly, Boston could see him return to the lineup sooner than originally expected, potentially as early as December. His reintegration into the team will be key as they look to hit their stride and once again position themselves as title contenders in a highly competitive Eastern Conference.
As the Celtics embark on their preseason trip and prepare for another deep playoff run, all eyes will be on Porzingis’s rehabilitation process, with fans and teammates alike eagerly anticipating his return to action.
If his optimism proves correct, the Celtics could find themselves at full strength much earlier than anticipated—giving them yet another weapon in their quest for back-to-back championships.
