Kristaps Porzingis provides instant spark in NBA Finals return
After missing two full series – over a month – of basketball due to a calf injury, Kristaps Porzingis returned for the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals and made an instant impact.
The Kristaps Porzignis injury saga finally came to an end on Thursday. After missing 10 games and over a month of time due to a calf injury he suffered in Game 4 of the first round, Porzingis finally returned to the floor as the Boston Celtics hosted the Dallas Mavericks for Game 1 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden.
As speculation built during the week leading up to the Finals that Porzingis would play, there were questions about just how ready he’d be – and how effective he could be – after missing so much time. Porzingis himself didn’t do much to dissuade any doubt when he gave a non-committal answer to a question about his readiness at media day on Wednesday.
Porzingis didn’t start on Thursday, marking just the second time in 474 career games he’d come off the bench.
“From day one I came here and I said like I’ll do whatever it takes to help this team win,” Porzingis said after the game when asked about coming off the bench. “This situation, you know, it made sense. I didn’t care. I knew I could prepare to come off the bench, which is something different for me, and that’s what I did and stepped into that role and embraced it and had a good game.”
Head coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters after the game that he had Porzingis come off the bench because he “thought it gave us the best chance to win.”
“We had a conversation and just came up to me, I know he knew I was going to be fine with whatever,” Porzingis said, when asked how he found out he wouldn’t be starting.
Once he did check into the game though, Porzingis quickly put any questions about readiness or rust to rest. With 7:17 to go in the opening quarter, Porzingis was the first Celtics sub to enter the game. At that point Dallas led 13-12.
However, that lead didn’t last long. The Celtics went on a 24-8 run to close out the quarter – a run Porzingis was heavily involved in. In the first quarter alone he scored 11 points while recording three rebounds and two blocks.
“That first quarter when I checked in and things started going my way and stuff, I didn’t even think about it,” Porzingis said when asked after the game if he felt any pressure in returning. “I was so in the moment and enjoying the moment and the crowd and everything.”
On top of that, Porzingis credited the crowd for helping him get through the game. That began before tip-off, when he walked out onto the court late, with the TD Garden video board showing him approaching through the tunnel. That brought the crow to their feet.
“I think obviously what helped me is, even from the walk out before the game and then getting on the court, getting that kind of support was unreal,” he said after the game. “The adrenaline was pumping through my veins and that definitely helped.”
The first quarter was Porzingis’ best, but he continued to impact the game throughout. He finished with 20 points – second only to Jaylen Brown’s 22 for the team lead – on 8-of-13 shooting while hitting two of his four three-point attempts. At the rim Porzingis grabbed six rebounds and finished with three blocks.
But perhaps the most notable number from Porzingis’ stat line is his minutes played. As impactful as he felt in Game 1, he was only on the floor for 20:34 of game time. That relatively limited workload likely helped him ease back in conditioning-wise, and should have him fresher as he looks to make a similar impact in Game 2.
Even with his impressive performance, Porzingis still said he had his doubts about his physical condition heading into the game, which is why he hesitated when asked the question on Wednesday.
“It’s hard to say because like all these thoughts went through my mind in that moment,” he explained.
Like, what do I answer? I want to say I’m fine, but obviously I haven’t played, I haven’t been out there, I haven’t had the feel of like am I a hundred percent.”
“Tonight was an affirmation to myself, that I’m pretty good,” Porzingis continued. “Maybe I’m not perfect, but I’m pretty good and I can play like this and I can definitely add to this team.”
Kristaps Porzingis will look to continue to ‘add to this team’ on Sunday, when the Celtics will have a chance to take a commanding lead in Game 2 at TD Garden. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. ET with pregame coverage beginning at 7:00 on 98.5 The Sports Hub and the BetMGM Celtics Radio Network.
Keep scrolling for more on the Celtics’ Game 1 win…
Celtics 107-89 win over the Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals led by Porzingis, Brown
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 06: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts as he dunks the ball against Maxi Kleber #42 of the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter in Game One of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 06, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Fourth Quarter:
Jaylen would continue to stay hot early in the fourth hitting the first basket of the quarter trying to leave no doubt in the Celtics lead. The teams would trade blows early in the fourth but with Boston leading by 20 to start the quarter Dallas would need to do a lot more than just trade baskets with Boston. Derrick White would hit a layup with 8:34 to go in the game to extend Boston’s lead back up to 21. Dallas’ defense wasn’t getting enough stops to cut into Boston’s lead, the teams would continue to trade baskets throughout the quarter with an Al Horford layup after a Tatum offensive rebound would put Boston up 96-75 with 6:09 to go.
Jrue Holiday one of the big offseason acquisitions by Celtics GM Brad Stevens was making his impact felt on both ends all night, as he’d hit a 3 pointer to make it 99-75 with 5:28 to go in the game and Boston getting closer to that ever important 1-0 series lead. Boston wouldn’t let up as the quarter went on leading by 20 for most of the 4th, Jason Kidd would basically wave the white flag with 5 minutes to go taking Irving and Doncic out of the game as the Mavericks couldn’t get any closer. Boston would continue to do everything right in the fourth going up 105-84 with 1:49 to go coasting to a 1-0 series lead with game 2 set for Sunday night at the Garden. The Celtics would go on to win by 107-89 dominating for large stretches of the game and making it look easy at times, if Dallas is going to rebound in game 2 their defense is going to need to make massive adjustments.
Scaz’s takeaways
- Celtics dominate with a very average Tatum offensive game
- Porzingis looked healthy and ready to go a great sign for the Celtics
- Jaylen Brown was great on both ends of the floor
- Dallas’ defense needs to make massive adjustments for game 2
