Kristaps Porzingis Returns to Celtics Lineup After Ankle Injury

Kristaps Porzingis made his return to the Boston Celtics lineup Friday night after missing four games due to a sprained left ankle. The 7-foot center played 28 minutes in the Celtics’ game against the Houston Rockets, contributing 11 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Despite early foul trouble, Porzingis showed resilience, helping his team secure a much-needed victory.

“I felt all right,” Porzingis said postgame. “Still haven’t been in my best shape this season yet, so it’s a little bit tough. But I’m happy to be healthy and working my way toward feeling better and better each game.” The Latvian big man has faced a challenging season, appearing in only 12 of the Celtics’ 35 games due to injuries, including foot surgery that sidelined him for the first month of the season.

Coach Joe Mazzulla praised Porzingis’ defensive efforts in the second half, noting his adaptability and impact. “I thought his defense in the second half was tremendous,” Mazzulla said. “We went to a couple of things that kind of got him going a little bit on some pin-downs and got him comfortable. For his first game back, I thought he was great.”

Porzingis’ return comes at a critical time for the Celtics, who are navigating a 24-9 record and trail the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers by five games. The team has relied on veteran Al Horford and role players like Neemias Queta and Luke Kornet to fill the void during Porzingis’ absences. However, his unique skill set as a stretch big man, including his 37.5% three-point shooting last season, remains irreplaceable.

Despite the setbacks, Porzingis remains optimistic. “I haven’t been at my top shape yet,” he admitted. “It’s been tough to have this kind of a summer and the surgery and everything. But the season’s long, and we have many, many games ahead of us. I will keep working towards getting into top shape.”

The Celtics’ focus remains on maintaining Porzingis’ health for the playoffs, where his ability to dominate both ends of the floor could be the difference-maker in their championship aspirations.