Porzingis ‘attacking my rehab right away’
Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis, center, watches play from the bench with center Kyle O'Quinn, left, and Jarrett Jack during a preseason game against the Wizards on Oct. 13, 2017, at Madison Square Garden. Credit: AP / Julie Jacobson
Kristaps Porzingis posted a picture of himself on Twitter and Instagram Wednesday on his way home from the Hospital for Special Surgery, and wrote that he believes he will return a better player.
Porzingis had surgery Tuesday to repair a torn left ACL.
“I’m attacking my rehab right away,” Porzingis wrote. “I truly believe that with consistent hard work, patience and positive attitude I’ll come back stronger, better, and sharper than ever.”
No timetable for a return has been given. The general rehab and recovery is anywhere from nine months to more than a year.
But the Knicks’ franchise player has two things in his favor. He’s only 22. And Jeff Hornacek said they didn’t find any other structural issues in Porzingis’ knee when they performed the surgery. Hornacek said he hopes Porzingis can spend some time around the team in the coming weeks.
“It’s important for him to know his teammates, they all want him back as quickly as possible but we know that’s going to be a bit of time,” Hornacek said. “Right now the hope is just take your time. We’ve got a lot of time before next season. They’re going to gradually work him into things.
“At this point he’s not going to be doing any real rehab for a while. Just to feel better and then maybe after the break we can get him to some games and continue to be a part of the team and encouraging our guys for the rest of the season.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
