The feeling of returning after a lengthy absence due to a significant lower body injury is a familiar one for Kristaps Porzingis.
He missed all of the 2019 season with a torn ACL. He tore his meniscus during the 2020 playoffs. He missed two series entirely and parts of two others during the Celtics championship run last season.
He was obviously playing through pain when he suited up for Game 5 of the NBA Finals before having offseason ankle surgery.
Porzingis said this recovery process was one of the smoothest he has ever dealt with, and as a result, he was able to return to action a little bit sooner than anticipated.