Boston Celtics say Kristaps Porzingis will go through four-to-six-weeks of rehab for plantar fasciitis and is expected to be cleared for start of training camp
The Celtics traded longtime guard Marcus Smart to get Porzingis this summer and signed him to a two-year extension through 2026. But now the oft-injured big man is hurt even before the start of training camp.
From the projected recovery time, it sounds like Porzingis likely didn’t tear his plantar fascia. He should be able to deal with the injury with rest, stretching and adjusting his shoe wear.
However, the Celtics have to be worried about their prize acquisition’s health. In the past, he’s primarily suffered injuries to his knees and back. Foot problems are relatively new. And while the Celtics sound confident about his recovery from this setback, two of the biggest factors that lead to a recurrence of plantar fasciitis are running, and weight. Since Porzingis is a basketball player who weighs at least 240 pounds, that’s a red flag.
Five years ago, Porzingis tore the ACL in his left knee and missed the next 18 months of basketball. Since then, he’s suffered knee soreness, Achilles soreness, a sprained ankle, a strained quad and a sore groin – in that leg alone. On his right leg, he’s had a bone bruise to his knee, sprained ankles, a sore hip and an inflamed knee tendon
Much of that is beyond Porzingis’ control. He’s 7-foot-3, and basketball is a contact sport. But that’s exactly the risk the Celtics ran in acquiring a player to vault them to a championship, who never plays a full season. His current injury happened in training, not even a game.
So while Boston expects to have the big man in for camp, there’s now another injured body part for them to worry about. Porzingis is supposed to be a pillar of the offense. The Celtics just hope he can support his own frame
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