Dallas (USA), Nov. 19, LETA. Kristaps Porziņģis, the star of the National Basketball Association (NBA) team Dallas “Mavericks”, feels more progress in treating the meniscus rupture than after the rupture of the cross ties last year, a Latvian basketball player was recognized in an interview with the club.
On August 17, Porziņģis suffered a meniscus injury in the first match of the NBA playoffs. The Latvian basketball player underwent surgery on October 10 and the time required for rehabilitation was not set, but it is estimated that he may not play for three to four months.
This week, the unit’s general manager Don Nelson confirmed that Porziņģis will not help the team at the beginning of the season.
“Six days a week I work on my rehabilitation, strengthening my muscles. Compared to breaking a ligament, this time we can see progress day by day. Rehabilitation after a ligament injury was like a trip in the desert. This is going faster, I’m recovering and feeling good,” he said. Porziņģis tells the Mavericks team.
He is close to being able to start throwing.
“Basically, we could do it now, but we approach it cautiously and we have almost reached that stage. I can’t wait to be able to do more, but I have to be smart and patient,” says Porziņģis.
The basketball player himself would also like to know the answer to the question when he will be able to return to the field.
“All I know is that I’m recovering well and that’s the most important thing. I want to play as fast as possible and do everything I can to make it happen. I’m in good hands and I don’t think so much about it. I’m surrounded by great people who will only allow me to play when I’m ready for it, “says Porziņģis.
The Latvian basketball player remembers an episode in which he suffered a meniscus injury.
“There was contact. If I remember correctly, I went after the bounced ball. I felt a little pain and everything. When after the game the adrenaline level dropped and my body became relaxed, I really felt it. I was sure I had to play the next match. I was ready to sacrifice everything and that too Some games would put up with it, but in the end I realized that there is no point in taking risks, otherwise the situation would get even worse. I think we made the right decision, “explains Porziņģis.
Asked what he would say to those Mavericks fans who consider Latvians to be traumatic, Porziņģis says that he deals with the healing of injuries professionally and does all the necessary work.
“It’s also very important what happens in my head, because I have to play fearlessly. I can’t think of things that have happened. I think it just happened and it was unavoidable. All I can do is work to be healthy again. and play at the highest level, “says Porziņģis.
Porziņģis has injured both knees in the last 30 months.
“The meniscus rupture was very unpleasant, because at that time we were playing” play-offs “with the prospect of winning the series. At that moment it was hard. “At the same time, I and the doctors realized that in the long run it is important that I do not play at that moment. Compared to the rehabilitation of cross – ligament rupture, then this is much easier,” reveals Porziņģis.
It is planned that the next season will start on December 22 and 72 games will have to be played in the regular championship.
“Everyone has to adapt to the new conditions and I think the NBA did a great job organizing the Orlando bubble. We were able to finish a season that was very important to us, the league and the people who love basketball. And I’m sure the NBA will do just as well season, so that we can be safe playing basketball and continuing our daily routine. Whatever the game schedule, I think we will adapt, “emphasizes Porziņģis.
The Latvian basketball player agrees that he has shown his best game of the season in the “bubble”. In the sowing tournament, Liepāja scored an average of 30.5 points in six matches and won 8.8 rebounds, but in the knockout tournament he had an average of 23.7 points and 8.7 balls under the baskets in three dues.
“I was finally on a pure rhythm. I had played well with Luka Dončič and the other team members, so the injury was a small blow. But I realize that it was just a small fight on this road. I will be back in a short time and I’m sure I will return to the previous serious and at the level I was at, “says Porziņģis.
He notes that with each game last season, he felt more and more confident.
“After recovering from the ligament injury, it took a while to feel comfortable in the square. It is difficult to have such an operation and such a long rehabilitation period. During the season I felt better and better and it was visible in the square,” Porziņģis recalls.
In the bubble, the Orlando Mavericks team spent about 55 days. As Porziņģis admitted, it was an interesting experience, but it lacked family and ordinary life.
“Those who adapted as quickly as possible and immediately felt at home also did better on the field. We did what we could, but it was difficult, especially for the basketball players, whose families were waiting at home. At the same time, it will be an experience we will remember. for the rest of his life, “says Porziņģis.
Last season, Porziņģis participated in 57 regular championship games, in which he scored 20.4 points in less than 32 minutes on average, won 9.5 rebounds and blocked 2.0 throws. In the playoffs, he played three games in the field, averaging 23.7 points in 31.5 minutes, winning 8.7 balls under baskets and blocking 1.0 throws.
The Mavericks acknowledged the superiority of the Los Angeles Clippers in the quarterfinals of the Western Conference with 2-4.
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