Celtics 'are targeting' a December return for injured star

Kristaps Porzingis is currently sidelined due to injury. He underwent surgery this summer and isn't expected to be part of the Boston Celtics' rotation for the opening months of the new NBA season. 

Despite missing their star center, the Celtics have won all four of their opening games. Nevertheless, Porzingis' eventual return will likely elevate Joe Mazzulla's team to another level. The floor spacing and rim protection he provides are the core reasons the Celtics dominated the regular season en route to owning the best record in the league. 

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, who was speaking on a recent episode of the "Pat McAfee" show, Boston is targeting a December return for the player many believe to be their X-Factor. 

"The Celtics are targeting December, from what I'm told, for Kristaps Porzingis to return," Charania said. "... He has not progressed to contact yet ... He looks really, really good. I think, if this wasn't a Celtics team that had the best starting lineup in the NBA ...They have the luxury of being patient. They can wait. They don't need to rush him back at all. If it ends up being January, it will be January. But right now, they're targeting December. It could even be earlier."