Kristaps Porzingis is ready. The Latvian center could return to the Boston Celtics’ lineup against the Los Angeles Clippers (November 25) after a long absence following foot surgery. The player trained at Baloncesto Sevilla will join a team that is working well (14-3) and is looking to repeat as champion.
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, right, is fouled by Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Green (8) during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.
Porzingis had a fireworks-filled end to last season. Against the Dallas Mavericks he was a differential factor, and blew up the final with 20 points in the first game. Then came the usual physical problems, which caused his contribution to be reduced (12 points in the second and five in the fifth and last). He finished as champion, key… and forced to go under the knife.
Nine days later, Porzingis went under the knife. He repaired his foot, specifically the retinaculum. And it was reported an estimated absence of about five or six months. Little by little he was incorporated into training, appearing in warm-ups and his return arrives, according to ‘ESPN’, for the clash against the Clippers.
“He’s working hard to come back,” confessed Joe Mazzulla, Boston’s coach, when the Latvian faced the final stretch of his recovery. Until he is reinstated into a rotation that works, but in which he takes it a step further. In the interior positions, he could leave Al Horford as a factor off the bench and expand a somewhat short bench in which only Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser or Xavier Tillman are available.
However, the season is excellent for Boston. Since they have been living in the era with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown as stars, they had never reached a record of 14-3 in the first 17 games. A key player only expands the depth of a team that is a contender for everything in the NBA.
