Kristaps Porzingis is not currently in the team due to his injury. He had surgery this summer and is not expected to be in the Boston Celtics rotation in the opening months of the new NBA season.

The Celtics won all four of their opening games despite losing their star center. Still, Porzingis’ eventual return looks set to take Joe Mazzulla’s team to another level. The floor spacing and rim protection he provides are key reasons why the Celtics dominated the regular season en route to the best record in the league.

Boston is aiming for the player to return in December, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, speaking on the latest episode of “Pat McAfee” many believe they are their own X-Factor.

“The Celtics are targeting December for Kristaps Porzingis to return, from what I am told,” Charania said. “…He hasn’t made any progress on getting touch-up yet…He looks really good. I think if this wasn’t the Celtics team with the best starting lineup in the NBA…They have the luxury of being there. Be patient. They don’t need to rush him.” “If it’s January, it will be January, but right now they’re even targeting December.”