The Celtics have announced that Kristaps Porzingis will be sidelined for five to six months after undergoing surgery for a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg, tweets Tim Bontemps of ESPN. His projected recovery timeline means he’ll miss at least the first month or two of next season.
Porzingis wasn’t available for most of the Celtics’ playoff run because of a strained right calf he suffered in the first-round series against Miami. He was able to return for the start of the NBA Finals, but was knocked out of action in Game 2 with the new left leg injury that forced him to have surgery. He made a brief return as Boston won the title in Game 5, but he admitted that he probably made his condition worse by playing.
Injuries have plagued Porzingis throughout his career, but he was relatively healthy for most of the regular season, appearing in 57 games and averaging 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 29.6 minutes per night. He negotiated a two-year, $60MM extension after being traded to Boston last summer and is under contract through 2025/26.
Porzingis’ early-season absence increases the Celtics’ urgency to keep at least one of their backup centers. The team will want to be careful with Porzingis when he does return, along with veteran big man Al Horford, who recently turned 38.
Boston holds a $2.2MM team option on Neemias Queta, but Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman are unrestricted free agents.
Brian Robb of MassLive suggests the front office should be aggressive on the free agent market in trying to find another big man willing to accept a veteran’s minimum contract, which is all Boston can offer as a second-apron team. He lists former Celtic Daniel Theis as one possibility, along with Mason Plumlee, Andre Drummond and Drew Eubanks.
Well at least it’s the off season. Also Porzingis being hurt is nothing new
It’s worth it bringing the title home to Boston! Get healthy and rest up so we can do this thing again next season !
That’s the scariest sounding injury that I have absolutely no idea what it is. Good luck!
A tear in the retinaculum from a traumatic foot or ankle injury lifts the tissue from the ankle bone or strips it entirely. This weakens the sling, causing pain in the inside edge and back of the ankle and foot, along with instability, especially while weight-bearing or doing power moves like jumping and running.
KP is guaranteed to miss time every season. If he’s out for the first couple of months then so be it. Maybe he’ll be fresher for the playoffs.
Yep. Lots of players get hurt every year. How about Embiid? Or OG Anunoby? Get healthy KP! We love you! Celtics fan.
Next season just sit him until the last 25 games so he can provide something for the playoffs. They won basically without this year in a year of significant injuries to superstars plaguing the league. Unfortunately for the Celtics they are more in a position to run it back with the same roster. When the competion can add talent (Knicks). Getting the top seed will be very difficult but a fresh KP in the playoffs can be the big addition to the team they need.
Then after a strong playoff run trade him as fast as possible. His value will be at an all time high and hopefully a team is willing to give up on some high end young talent in return. Houston, OKC, and Detroit are teams to watch for.
Celtics won the East by 14 games. Bridges is not good enough to make up 14 games.
Celtics main concern is finding bench replacements and keeping people healthy.
The Knicks are not a worry at all. Tatum+ Brown >>>>>>> OG and Bridges.
Trade KP? Break up a championship team? Doubt that very highly. But we did trade favorites Smart & TimeLord. Trust in Brad!
I don’t hate the idea of of bringing back Daniel Tice. He knows the system Iran, and is a really good facilitator as a back up he does a lot of small things well and would make for a good seasoned back up center.
Tillman is better than Tice, younger and cheaper.
Younger, cheaper and not In the Iran System
Neither one of you know how to spell “Theis”
Celts fans loved Daniel Theis. And he shoots threes & makes his foul shots. Great defender. Fits perfectly & set screens for Jason. Bring him back if possible. If he wants to come. Trust in Stevens.
They don’t have the money, especially under the new Cap rules.
Career is over at this point
oh so you’re a doctor?
Love KP, but Cs should try and get as much value as they can(while he’s hot). Cause them stilts aren’t going to last long.
You dont think Brad Stevens thought of this already?
I would assume the reason he traded for Xavier Tillman was to make sure there was a replacement if Al (who is old ) and KP get injured.
Brad is a very good GM, might be the best. KP being injured for Oct and November is not a big deal. Celtics won the East by 14 games. Bridges does not make up 14 games.
Tillman, Kornet & Queta are all about to hit free agency. Stevens can likely re-sign Kornet on another multi year vet minimum deal but I doubt Tillman will want to play for the vet min coming off of his rookie deal. There are plenty of teams that could use a big like him in their rotation and I’m guessing that at the very least he sees somewhere in the 7-8M/yr salary that Paul Reed & Jock Londale signed for last offseason. Hopefully Brad finds a way to keep Luke & X.
Called it. He will debut 2 games before Christmas.
And?
so he’ll miss a month then?
Us Celtics fans love Kristaps! He was terrific all year long! Started games hot with his 3-point zingers. Became our best finisher with his post ups, shooting over smaller defenders, & if they fouled him, KP made his foul shots. On D he defended the lane like no one else, lots of blocks and intimidations. Helped us win our 18th! This injury will take longer than 6 months to recover but he’s our guy. Go Celts!
Funny how an injury you can kinda sorta play through can lead to you going under the knife and missing half a season. That’s medical science for you.
Kinda sorta play through??
His ankle doesn’t seat right and is unstable while weight bearing, jumping, and running. Kinda necessary when playing basketball. Plus the guy is 7’2” and 245 lbs. “Medical science” is going to save what’s left of his career. It was a calculated risk for C’s to sign him knowing he’s made of glass. He helped them end their title drought, so one could argue it was worth it.
How many years have the Celtics been linked to Drummond? I don’t think Stevens is even interested in him.