Sources: Porzingis to make season debut vs. Clips

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis will make his season debut Monday night against the LA Clippers, sources told ESPN.

Porzingis has been making rapid improvements in his recovery from foot surgery in late June, completing scrimmages in recent weeks of practices with the Celtics and their NBA G League affiliate, Maine.

Porzingis returns five months after surgery.

The Celtics set metrics for Porzingis to reach throughout his rehab process, making sure he had balance in his body to supplement the healing of his leg injury from last season.

Porzingis arrived to the Celtics in a 2023 offseason trade and become an NBA champion for the first time in dramatic fashion last season. He came back from a calf strain in the first round of the playoffs to play in three games in the NBA Finals, including Game 5 after suffering this rare tendon injury in Game 2.

Porzingis averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.9 blocks per game last season.