AUERBACH CENTER — On Celtics Media Day, Brad Stevens revealed that two Celtics’ rotation bigs — Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman — had surgical procedure over the offseason.
Kornet had wrist surgical procedure on the conclusion of the season, whereas Tillman had a knee scope on the finish of July. Each must be good to go, Stevens confirmed, with no identified limitations.
Kristaps Porzingis, in the meantime, is recovering properly, although there’s no timeline for his return.
“He’s very optimistic,” Stevens mentioned. “I don’t know that we’re serious about placing a timeline on it, as a result of the damage is exclusive. However so far as how he feels and the progress that he’s made, we’re very, very happy with the place he’s — perhaps slightly shocked.”
Nonetheless, with Porzingis out for the beginning of the season, the well being and availability of Kornet and Tillman develop into much more vital. Each back-up bigs will doubtless play larger minutes within the wake of their star middle’s restoration, with 38-year-old Al Horford additionally prone to shoulder an even bigger load.
“These timelines matched up properly with the beginning of the season, clearly, with some huge depth points doubtlessly,” Stevens mentioned. “So, we’re lucky.”
Final season, Kornet averaged 5.3 minutes and 4.1 rebounds in 15.6 minutes per sport, whereas Tillman averaged 4 factors and a pair of.7 rebounds in 13.7 minutes.
Neither Kornet nor Tillman’s surgical procedures had beforehand been reported, however it feels like neither is a very substantial improvement.
“I’m actually inspired by the well being of our staff,” Stevens mentioned.
Brad Stevens on bringing again the identical staff from final season:
“Usually, I might say I would not thoughts a tweak or two, simply because I feel that these issues can provoke you… I feel that these guys are galvanized by one another.” pic.twitter.com/ejy6GYYc4y
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) September 24, 2024
Neemias Queta also needs to be within the combine to enhance back-up huge minutes. As a two-way participant final season, the Portuguese huge man averaged 5.5 factors in 11.9 minutes per sport, in 28 appearances. All three gamers — Kornet, Tillman, and Queta — re-signed with the Celtics on minimal offers this summer time.
The Celtics returned almost the whole lot of final yr’s championship roster, excluding Oshae Brissett (free agent) and Svi Mykhailiuk (signed with Utah). Stevens mentioned usually talking, it may be galvanizing to tweak a roster and usher in some new additions.
However within the Celtics case, they wished to run it again with the identical forged as a lot as potential.
“I feel these guys are galvanized by one another,” Stevens mentioned.
