Kristaps Porzingis continues to progress on his road back from offseason leg surgery.
“He’s getting there,” head coach Joe Mazzulla said after Friday’s Celtics practice. “… He’s been able to do some stuff on the court. Some reads versus the coaches. Still some up-and-down work, 5-on-1 versus the coaches. He’s getting there.”
Porzingis, who underwent surgery in late June to repair the “rare” injury he suffered during the NBA Finals, traveled with the team to Wednesday night’s win over Brooklyn. The veteran center went through an extensive pregame workout that included shooting, half-speed 1-on-1 drives against coaches and some conditioning work, then watched the game from the bench.
Multiple teammates were encouraged by Porzingis’ attitude during the game, describing him as “vocal” and “engaged.” Jaylen Brown said Porzingis coached up teammates during stoppages, which Brown viewed as “a good signal that he’s getting close, he’s getting ready.”
Guard Jrue Holiday said Porzingis was able to participate in some defensive drills during Friday’s practice.
“I’m looking forward to him coming back,” Holiday said. “Even just doing little drills here with him today, he just makes the game so much easier with his length, being able to protect the rim. And then, obviously, offensively he just makes the game so much easier for everybody. Creating space for driving lanes or 3-point shots. Not being able to switch off of him or when he gets a switch, him being able to take advantage of that. Can’t wait for him to come back.”
Porzingis reportedly is targeting a December return, though his exact timeline remains unclear and the Celtics likely will be cautious with their difference-making 7-footers. Getting him back should provide a big boost to Boston’s rim defense, which has been lacking through the first 13 games.
The Celtics rank 22nd in opponent shooting percentage within 5 feet of the basket, down from third last season. They’re also 18th in blocks per game after finishing tied for the league lead in that category in 2023-24.
Porzingis averaged 1.9 blocks per game in his first season as a Celtic, which would have ranked in the top 10 had he appeared in enough games to qualify.
“(He provides) comfort in him protecting the rim,” Holiday said. “Knowing that having somebody down there with the ability to protect the rim and have my back if I make a mistake, it just builds that trust in your teammates on the defensive end.”
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