Kristaps Porzingis Returns in Style as Celtics Dominate Clippers
BOSTON — The TD Garden was electric Monday night as Kristaps Porzingis made his highly anticipated return to the court. In his first game since helping the Boston Celtics secure the NBA championship five months ago, the 7-foot-3 center wasted no time reminding fans why he’s such a vital piece of this team’s success.
Porzingis, who underwent offseason leg surgery, made his season debut with a solid performance, tallying 16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks in just 23 minutes of action. The Celtics cruised to a commanding 126-94 victory over the LA Clippers, leading by as many as 29 points at halftime. It was a night of celebration for Boston fans, who welcomed Porzingis back with open arms.
“I felt great,” Porzingis said with a grin after the game. “It was a long rehab, and I was itching to get back out there with this team after winning a championship. It was a good beginning, good first game back.”
Porzingis Makes an Immediate Impact
From the opening tip, it was clear that Porzingis’ presence on the floor was a game-changer. His unique combination of floor spacing and rim protection was on full display, giving the Celtics a boost on both ends of the court. Despite some rust, Porzingis showed flashes of the versatility that makes him such a valuable asset in today’s NBA.
Interestingly, half of Porzingis’ shot attempts came from beyond the arc. He connected on just one of his six 3-point attempts, a make from the top of the key on Boston’s second possession of the game. However, inside the arc, he was nearly unstoppable, going 5-for-6 on two-point shots. Highlights included a smooth mid-post bucket over James Harden and a pair of emphatic alley-oop dunks, though Porzingis joked about feeling a bit off on those plays.
“It’s part of the process,” he said. “Especially the first game back. Little bit of timing on the jump, catching a flat tire here and there and stuff. It’s normal.”
Defensive Presence Shines
While Porzingis’ offensive contributions were noteworthy, his defensive impact may have been even more significant. The Celtics, who ranked second in defense last season, have struggled to replicate that dominance early this year. Coming into Monday’s game, Boston was ranked 10th in defense and 19th in rim protection, a far cry from their league-best performance in that category last season.
Porzingis helped change that narrative against the Clippers. Boston recorded a season-high 11 blocks, with Porzingis serving as a key deterrent in the paint. Aside from Ivica Zubac (23 points and 10 rebounds), the Clippers struggled mightily inside, going a combined 2-for-8 from the floor when Porzingis was in the vicinity.
“Yeah, 11 blocks tonight,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said with a smile. “It helps.”
Ahead of Schedule
Porzingis’ return came earlier than many expected. Initially projected to be out until December or January, the Latvian big man exceeded expectations at every step of his rehab process. He practiced with the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G League affiliate, just a week ago and had been ramping up his pregame workouts in recent days. On Monday, he was upgraded to probable and ultimately returned to the starting lineup for the first time since suffering a calf strain in Game 4 of last season’s first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat.
“It’s been a long road, but I’m just happy to be back out there with my teammates,” Porzingis said.
Boston’s Hot Start Continues
Even without Porzingis, the Celtics have been rolling to start the season. Boston is on pace to surpass last year’s 64-18 regular-season record and is averaging 50 3-point attempts per game, a mark that would shatter the previous NBA record. Monday’s win was yet another statement from a team that looks poised to defend its title.
Porzingis’ return only adds to the excitement surrounding this group. The TD Garden crowd erupted when he took the floor for pregame warmups and again when he was introduced as part of the starting lineup. The game itself felt like a celebration of what this team can achieve with Porzingis back in the fold.
“It’s going to change night to night, and we’re a versatile team,” said Jaylen Brown, who was one of six Celtics players to score 16 points. “We have a lot of luxuries where different guys can do different things. The key is just to stay motivated and have a great mentality.”
With Porzingis healthy and the Celtics firing on all cylinders, the dream of becoming the first Boston team to repeat as NBA champions since 1969 feels more attainable than ever.
Originally Written by: Tim Bontemps
