Kristaps Porziņģis Out for Start of Celtics' Season After Surgery on Rare Leg Injury

Boston Celtics forward/center Kristaps Porziņģis will miss the start of the 2024-25 regular season after undergoing surgery to repair his torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon.

The Celtics said Porziņģis will miss five-to-six months, putting him on track to return in November or December.

Porzingis later posted on social media saying that "everything went smooth" with the surgery:

Porziņģis suffered the injury during Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals and missed Game 3 and 4 before returning for the Celtics' clinching victory over the Dallas Mavericks. He had a stellar first season in Boston, averaging 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 37.5 percent from three-point range.

While Porziņģis' absence won't hurt the Celtics' championship pursuit, it could create an awkward situation at the 5 spot next season. Al Horford will be moved back into the starting lineup in Porziņģis' absence after spending much of 2023-24 as a reserve.

Horford started during Boston's playoff run when Porziņģis missed time with a calf injury as well, and Porziņģis came off the bench during his three Finals appearances. Porziņģis is 28 years old and has been a starter his entire career. It seems unlikely he'd be comfortable transitioning to a full-time reserve role, but conversations may need to be had if Boston gets off to a red-hot start with Horford as a starter.

Injury issues have plagued Porziņģis throughout his NBA career. He's never played more than 72 games in a season and has missed at least 15 games in eight straight seasons overall. Next season will almost certainly mark a ninth.