The Boston Celtics’ All-Star center Kristaps Porzingis, has yet to make his debut this season as he continues to recover from a rare foot injury that required offseason surgery. However, the Celtics have just shared a major update on Porzingis’ recovery, leaving Boston fans buzzing with anticipation.

According to the announcement, Kristaps Porzingis has advanced to the next phase of his recovery and will join the Maine Celtics for practice. While he will work with the G League affiliate, he won’t be traveling to Maine, as their practice sessions will take place at the Auerbach Center in Brighton.

“Kristaps Porzingis has reached the next phase in his recovery. As part of his rehab, Porzingis and Xavier Tillman will be assigned to the @MaineCeltics for practice. Following practice, they will be recalled and Porzingis will ramp up his workload,” the Celtics update noted.

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Another big man heading to Maine alongside Kristaps Porzingis is Xavier Tillman. Getting Porzingis back will be a massive boost for an already stacked Boston roster. The Celtics also mentioned that he will continue to ramp up his workload following the session. However, no updates have been provided on his potential return date to the Boston lineup.

On Friday, coach Joe Mazzulla shared, “He’s been able to do some stuff on the court. Some reads versus the coaches. Some up and down work, 5-on-1 vs. the coaches, so he’s getting there.” This confirms that the 29-year-old is back on the court and will now practice against other players—a major positive for Boston. Despite his absence, the Celtics have been rolling, boasting an 11-2 record. Let’s take a closer look at the impact Porzingis could make upon his return.

How will Kristaps Porzingis’ return help the Celtics?

Boston has approached Kristaps Porzingis’ return from offseason surgery with patience, ensuring he recovers fully without any undue pressure. This deliberate approach is largely thanks to their incredible depth, which has enabled the Celtics to excel even in his absence. Currently sitting at 11-2, Boston trails only the undefeated Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference standings.

Last season, Kristaps Porzingis averaged 20.1 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting an impressive 37.5% from beyond the arc. His crucial shot-blocking set the tone for his team’s defense, and his two-way play is something the Celtics currently miss on the inside. However, even off the court, Porzingis has been impactful with his sideline presence.

As his teammate Jaylen Brown noted after the recent win over the Nets, “He was in his coaching bag, giving guys what he was seeing out there. That’s a good sign. That’s a good signal that he’s getting close. He’s getting ready. His mind, his spirit, is out there with us. We can’t wait to welcome him back.” While Porzingis still has work to do to meet the recovery timeline set for December, it won’t be long before he starts making a significant impact for Boston.