The Celtics seven-game homestand was billed as an opportunity to make an announcement to the league. With a slew of contenders coming to TD Backyard, all comers for the throne must see how they measured as much as the champs. And whereas a 5-2 file that included wins towards the Nuggets and Lakers was notable, the absence of Kristaps Porzingis in shut losses to convention leaders Cleveland and Oklahoma Metropolis produced some guarded optimism that with the massive man, the outcomes might need been totally different.
And after such a constructive output in his first sport again towards the Nets, you’d be hard-pressed to not assume that we might be a nine-game profitable streak.
Whereas his three-point accuracy was off (1-for-7 at Barclays), he scored in a wide range of methods, together with dribble drives, slipping out of pick-and-rolls, reducing off ball, and taking pictures over mismatches.
“At first, I felt a bit bit out of rhythm,” Porzingis advised NBC Sports activities Boston’s Abby Chin. “I’m not gonna lie. The primary few photographs have been a bit brick-y. However as the sport went on, I felt higher and higher. I’m comfortable to be again.”
Porzingis completed with 24 factors, two rebounds, and a block.
“I’m not feeling in form but. It’s been robust these final couple of weeks, however in these form of moments, you simply gotta chew down and produce one thing from deep. That’s what I attempt to do and I’m comfortable we obtained the win,” Porzingis stated.
Payton Pritchard on Kristaps Porzingis’s capability to return again from absence from prolonged absence this successfully:
“It reveals the skillset he has — he’s a unicorn. An unreal participant.” pic.twitter.com/NPBxDYktjT
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) March 16, 2025
After the sport, head coach Joe Mazzulla credited Porzingis for his constructive angle and “optimism” regardless of a tough common season along with his return initially delayed by a prolonged restoration from surgical procedure and most lately, an prolonged absence with a virus.
Porzingis stated that it was the sickest that he’s ever been in his life — with mononucleosis as a attainable early analysis that was later dominated out — and that the virus progressed to one thing like bronchitis. With simply fourteen video games left till the playoffs begin on the finish of April, he’s doing every little thing he can to get into sport form — together with some “biohacking stuff that I do know.”
He performed 32 minutes towards the Nets together with all the fourth quarter when he led the group with 14 factors. And after being “extraordinarily, extraordinarily pissed off not realizing what [he] had,” his efficiency on Saturday reminds the Celtics what they’ve in him and is simply one other reminder that of all the good gamers on the roster, Porzingis is by far probably the most x-factor-y of all of them.
However even after such a robust exhibiting, there would possibly all the time be a cloud of mysticism surrounding the Unicorn. Boston didn’t appear to want him within the playoffs final 12 months and for those who’re a tough numbers fan, it’s laborious to disregard that with Al Horford within the beginning lineup, the Celtics are a +18.9 higher in internet ranking.
Nonetheless, the 2 #1 seeds within the East and West each area two big frontcourts of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen and Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein respectively. And regardless of the stats not being in his favor and his uncertainty of his availability, the attention take a look at final evening reveals you simply how a lot he tilts the scales.
