The Celtics have begun their title defense without a key member from last year's historic run.
Kristaps Porzingis is still a member of Boston's roster but has opened the 2024-25 season on the inactive list as he continues his recovery from a rare leg injury suffered during the 2024 NBA Finals.
Porzingis played through the pain in the championship-clinching Game 5 but the injury required surgery. The 29-year-old proved to be one of the missing pieces to the Celtics' championship puzzle as the franchise won its 18th NBA title in Porzingis' first season in Beantown.
What is Porzingis' injury and how much more time will he miss this season? Here is the latest on the Celtics big man's status.
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What is Kristaps Porzingis' injury?
Porzingis' injury is a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg. The medial retinaculum stabilizes the tibialis tendon, which is the most superficial structure on the medial side of the ankle.
Here is an explanation of the injury from medical expert Dr. Michael S. George of the KSF Orthopaedic Center in Houston: "The injury to the medial retinaculum allowed the tendon to be unstable and dislocate to the side of the medial malleolus. Dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon causes medial-sided pain and weakness."
MORE: Expert medical analysis on the nature of Kristaps Porzingis' injury
How long will Kristaps Porzingis be out?
The Celtics announced that Porzingis underwent surgery on June 27 to repair the injury, adding that he would be expected to return in 5-6 months.
On Nov. 18, the franchise announced that Porzingis had reached the next phase in his recovery. He will take part in practices with the G League's Maine Celtics before he is recalled to ramp up his workload with Boston.
"The expectation is (to return) sometime in December," Porzingis told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne at media day, adding that he hopes he can return sooner. A return in December would align with the 5-6 month timeline outlined in June.
In his first season with Boston, Porzingis averaged 20.1 points and 7.2 rebounds over 57 regular season games. He was limited to seven playoff games but averaged 12.3 points per game, including an awe-inspiring 20-point performance off the bench in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
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Celtics schedule 2024-25
The Celtics play 19 games before December. In Porzingis' absence, Boston has won 11 of its first 14 games to open the year.
Here are the Celtics' upcoming games:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Tuesday, Nov. 19 | vs. Cavaliers | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Friday, Nov. 22 | at Wizards | 7 p.m. | — |
| Sunday, Nov. 24 | vs. Timberwolves | 3:30 p.m. | — |
| Monday, Nov. 25 | vs. Clippers | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| Friday, Nov. 29 | at Bulls | 8 p.m. | — |
Kristaps Porzingis career stats
- 19.7 points per game
- 7.9 rebounds per game
- 1.8 assists per game
- 0.7 steals per game
- 1.8 blocks per game
- 1.7 turnovers per game
- 45.9 percent field goal shooting
- 36.1 percent 3-point shooting
- 83.1 percent free throw shooting
