Kristaps Porzingis Could Reportedly Be Back By Christmas After Undergoing Knee Surgery

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Kristaps Porzingis‘ 2017-18 season came to an end last week when he tore his ACL after landing awkwardly on a dunk. It was a crushing blow to the New York Knicks, and basketball fans in general, as Porzingis had a series of minor knee and ankle issues throughout the season that many hoped he could manage without being sidelined for a long stretch of time.

Instead, Porzingis had surgery to repair the ligament on Tuesday, setting up a long recovery effort that will almost certainly force him to miss the first few months of next season. With a playoff run now a fading memory for the Knicks, getting Porzingis healthy seems to be the most important thing for Knicks fans.

The good news is that surgery means a timetable will soon be in place, and multiple sources seem to indicate that Porzingis could be back by the midway point of the season for the Knicks if his recovery goes well.

ESPN’s Ed Begley reported Tuesday that, according to a source, a 10-month recovery is possible. Marc Berman of the New York Post has sources who say about the same thing: a Christmas return could be possible for Porzingis.

The Knicks offered no timetable for the 7-3 Latvian’s return. They may do so after he begins his rehab process, which will come shortly. Recent players recovering from ACL tears have taken between seven to 12 months, meaning next season is imperiled, too. Sources indicated that 10 months is a ballpark figure, which would have him making his 2018-19 debut right before Christmas.

The surgery was performed by Knicks orthopedist Dr. Answorth Allen and Dr. David Altchek, who is the medical director for the Mets and a medical consultant for the NBA.

Porzingis’ height, of course, could complicate recovery from this kind of surgery. And the Knicks certainly will be cautious in bringing him back too soon, especially if there isn’t much of a playoff chase for the franchise without him in the lineup this year. But fans who want to see him back on Christmas Day this winter officially have something they can ask Basketball Santa for.

Meanwhile, Knicks fans will have the chance to sign a giant get well card for Porzingis if they go to the Knicks’ home game on Wednesday.

It’s one of the few reasons to attend a Knicks game at this point, but it’s a nice effort.

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