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 ought to be good to go, Stevens confirmed, with no recognized limitations.
Kristaps Porzingis, in the meantime, is recovering nicely, although there’s no timeline for his return.
“He’s very optimistic,” Stevens mentioned. “I don’t know that we’re all in favour of placing a timeline on it, as a result of the harm 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 — possibly a bit of shocked.”
Nonetheless, with Porzingis out for the beginning of the season, the well being and availability of Kornet and Tillman turn out to be much more vital. Each back-up bigs will possible play greater minutes within the wake of their star heart’s restoration, with 38-year-old Al Horford additionally more likely to shoulder a much bigger load.
“These timelines matched up nicely with the beginning of the season, clearly, with some huge depth points probably,” 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 couple of.7 rebounds in 13.7 minutes.
Neither Kornet nor Tillman’s surgical procedures had beforehand been reported, however it seems like neither is a very substantial improvement.
“I’m actually inspired by the well being of our workforce,” Stevens mentioned.
Brad Stevens on bringing again the identical workforce from final season:
“Typically, I might say I would not thoughts a tweak or two, simply because I believe that these issues can impress you… I believe that these guys are galvanized by one another.” pic.twitter.com/ejy6GYYc4y
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) September 24, 2024
Neemias Queta must also 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 practically the whole lot of final 12 months’s championship roster, except for Oshae Brissett (free agent) and Svi Mykhailiuk (signed with Utah). Stevens mentioned usually talking, it may be galvanizing to tweak a roster and herald some new additions.
However within the Celtics case, they needed to run it again with the identical forged as a lot as attainable.
“I believe these guys are galvanized by one another,” Stevens mentioned.
