Announcement: Kristaps Porzingis set to return on Monday for first game of the season

The Boston Celtics' center, Kristaps Porzingis, is set to make his return from ankle surgery on Monday against the Los Angeles Clippers, according to ESPN's report.

Originally, the expected timeline for his return was five to six months after undergoing surgery in late June. The injury to his medial retinaculum, which is considered rare, occurred during the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, where the Celtics emerged victorious in five games.

In recent weeks, the 29-year-old Porzingis has been participating in scrimmages during practices with the Celtics and their NBA G League affiliate in Maine.

Also see this picks: Navy Midshipmen vs. Army Black Knights Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 14th 2024 Also see this picks: South Alabama Jaguars vs. Western Michigan Broncos Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 14th 2024

Celtics' head coach, Joe Mazzulla, praised Porzingis' rehabilitation and his dedication during practice in Maine.

"He got through it well and came out okay, so he's just continuing to wrap it up and is improving every day," Mazzulla told reporters on Thursday. "All I know is he's getting better every day. He's working really hard to come back as quickly as possible, and he's now in the next phase of ramping up."

Comments from Porzingis and general manager, Brad Stevens, in recent months have also indicated that the Latvian native's rehab is progressing very well.

"The expectation is sometime in December," Porzingis told ESPN in late September. "But I'm feeling really good and I'm working towards hopefully playing earlier than that."

Stevens expressed optimism at Boston's media day in late September, saying, "As far as how he feels and the progress that he's made, I'd say we're very, very pleased with where he is and maybe a little surprised."

Standing at 7-foot-2, Porzingis averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.9 blocks in 57 games (all starts) in his first season with Boston in 2023-24.

Throughout his career, Porzingis has averaged 19.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.8 blocks in 459 games (458 starts) with the New York Knicks (2015-18), Mavericks (2019-22), Washington Wizards (2022-23), and Celtics.

Also see this picks: Washington Commanders vs. New Orleans Saints Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 15th 2024 Also see this picks: Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 15th 2024

Porzingis was an All-Star in 2017-18 with the Knicks, who drafted him with the No. 4 overall pick in 2015. However, his career has been plagued by injuries, causing him to miss the entire 2018-19 season with a torn ACL and play fewer than 60 games in five of his last six campaigns.