The reigning NBA champions will doubtless be and not using a key participant to open the 2024-25 season. Boston Celtics middle Kristaps Porziņģis will probably be out for 5 to 6 months after present process profitable ankle surgical procedure, the crew introduced Thursday.
If there are not any issues along with his restoration, that timeline would imply Porziņģis returns to the court docket in December.
Contemplating how a lot harm administration Porziņģis wants all year long, it seems the Celtics will probably be hoping their star middle can play even half of subsequent season. He missed 25 video games through the common season and the vast majority of the playoffs, and now he’ll miss the primary one to 2 months of the ’24-’25 season.
Kristaps Porziņģis will probably be out for five to six months after a profitable surgical procedure, per Celtics. So he will probably be taking a look at a return round December if all goes properly.
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) June 27, 2024
Porziņģis returned to motion for the crew’s title-clinching win earlier this month, enjoying by a left ankle harm. He stated he would want offseason surgical procedure to appropriate the difficulty.
Earlier than Recreation 5 of the NBA Finals, Porziņģis hadn’t performed since struggling a connective tissue tear and ligament displacement close to his left ankle in Recreation 2. He was activated for Recreation 4 for “very particular” conditions however didn’t play.
Porziņģis scored 5 factors and added one rebound in 16 minutes off the bench within the Celtics’ championship-sealing win.
What does Boston’s rotation seem like with out Porziņģis?
It must be acknowledged that Al Horford is now 38 years previous, however he has aged gracefully these previous few years and performed properly all through the playoffs. The Celtics might want to re-sign Xavier Tillman and Luke Kornet, as the middle depth will probably be much more vital than final yr.
They nonetheless have Neemias Queta below contract, who confirmed some good flashes final yr however wasn’t capable of see the ground within the postseason even in matchups the place he can be helpful. Oshae Brissett opted out of his possibility in search of a multiyear deal, however he stated he expects to be again subsequent season.
The Celtics are restricted of their capacity to accumulate a middle on account of their cap place above the second apron, which successfully takes away all of their helpful free agent and commerce instruments. They will signal gamers to the minimal they usually can commerce out one participant for one more matching their wage.
Boston should re-sign their present facilities and run it again, with possibly a small tweak right here or there. — Jared Weiss, Celtics beat author
What’s subsequent for the Celtics long run?
As soon as the Celtics determine their rotation for the season, they’ve to think about what this harm means for his or her long-term plans. The second apron is a novel impediment and Boston is without doubt one of the first franchises leaping deep into it. That paid off instantly, however how lengthy can a crew final in that zone?
The second apron is designed to punish groups who keep there for quite a lot of seasons, that means they should nail their late draft picks to usher in recent expertise over that point. Even when Porziņģis’ well being turns into a difficulty they usually have to maneuver off of him, it will be laborious to backtrack out of that second apron and not using a important teardown as soon as they signal Jayson Tatum and Derrick White to extensions.
The Celtics are, rightfully so, dedicated to this championship core. They proved they might win a title with out Porziņģis, however he was so essential to their overhaul final yr. It’s laborious to think about they’ll do it once more, particularly because the league adapts to them.
Simply have a look at what the Knicks are doing, constructing a dynamic protection that has the potential to dethrone the Celtics. Porziņģis may get well easily and lead the Celtics to a different title, however this crew will all the time should be prepared for all times with out their X-factor. — Weiss
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(Photograph: Peter Casey / USA Right this moment)