Kristaps Porzingis was able to return briefly for a single game, which provides a glimmer of hope as he faces yet another injury prior to the 2024-25 NBA season.

Porzingis had been sidelined for much of the Celtics’ playoff journey in 2024 and faced an additional “rare” injury during Game 2 of the NBA Finals. He made a return in the decisive Game 5, where the Celtics secured their championship title, making the decision to trade Marcus Smart for Porzingis seem justified as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the team to victory.

However, the risk associated with his history of injuries is now evident, as Porzingis won’t be on the court when the Celtics kick off their title defense against the New York Knicks on opening night and his return may be delayed.

Read on for the latest information regarding Porzingis’ injury, what transpired over the offseason, and his potential comeback date with the Celtics this season.

Will Kristaps Porzingis Play on Opening Night?

No. The Celtics indicated last June that Porzingis would sit out at the beginning of the 2024-25 NBA season after undergoing surgery to fix a peculiar ankle injury—a torn medial retinaculum causing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon—which he managed to play with during Game 5 of the Finals. Porzingis is the only player on the Celtics’ injury report ahead of their game against the Knicks.

When Will Kristaps Porzingis Return?

Upon announcing Porzingis’ surgery on June 27, 2024, the Celtics projected a recovery timeline of five to six months. This timeline suggests a possible return at the end of November, while a full six-month recovery could see him back by the close of December.

Porzingis mentioned to ESPN last month that he aims to return sometime in December. He shared with reporters at Celtics media day that “my ankle’s feeling really, really good,” as he intensifies his rehabilitation workouts.

“We are very, very pleased with his progress, and perhaps a bit surprised,” remarked Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens regarding Porzingis’ recovery.

Kristaps Porzingis’ Injury History

This current ankle issue is not the first major health concern Porzingis, aged 28, has faced since he entered the NBA in 2015 with the Knicks.

Initially seen as a “unicorn” talent with the Knicks, his career took a hit when he tore his ACL in his left knee in February 2018, resulting in a trade to the Dallas Mavericks. He sat out the entire 2018-19 season during recovery and has played over 57 games in a season only once since then—in the 2022-23 season with the Washington Wizards.

Prior to the ankle injury in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Porzingis was sidelined for much of the Celtics’ 2024 playoff campaign due to a calf strain incurred during Game 4 against the Miami Heat, returning only for the start of the Finals.

Additionally, he tore his lateral meniscus during the 2020 playoffs and missed the beginning of the 2020-21 season while playing for the Mavericks.

Kristaps Porzingis’ Stats

2023-24 NBA Season with Boston Celtics

• 57 games played
• 20.1 points/game
• 7.2 rebounds/game
• 2 assists/game
• 1.9 blocks/game
• 37.5% from 3-point range
• 51.6% from the field

Career (8 Seasons)

• 19.7 points/game
• 7.9 rebounds/game
• 1.8 assists/game
• 1.8 blocks/game
• 36.1% from 3-point range
• 45.8% from the field