Kristaps Porzingis had worked tirelessly, from the start of training camp to pregame shoot-around, to get back in tip-top shape and re-take the floor for the Boston Celtics, and the time finally came on Monday evening.
Porzingis waited for Boston to make its tunnel exit before taking the parquet with a boxing-styled entrance of his own — one that erupted TD Garden’s crowd prior to tip-off. It was expected and long-awaited, but no less special to the second-year member of Boston’s title-defending team, now back at full strength and ready to contribute.
“It’s always special to make that walk, but especially a game like (Monday’s),” Porzingis told ESPN’s “NBA Today” on Tuesday. “Being out for a while and now coming back in and getting that love and support is unreal.”
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla didn’t suggest any minute restrictions would be placed on Porzingis, and right away the 7-footer got to work. Porzingis drained the first 3-pointer of the night, bringing the moment full circle, before finishing with 16 points with six rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in Boston’s 126-94 win over Los Angeles. Porzingis made a difference on both ends of the floor, logged 23 minutes and provided an early-season boost of optimism.
Boston had gone 14-3 without Porzingis, only second to the 17-1 Cleveland Cavaliers, all while Porzingis did everything possible to do his part — filling an unofficial player’s coach role and undergoing G League practices. Having the 29-year-old back, with an ability to score, defend and space the floor, might not just keep Boston in its elite form but help the Celtics an entirely new ceiling.
Porzingis is confident Mazzulla has the group to do just that.
“I believe so. I really do,” Porzingis said, per ESPN. “One is obviously we have a year of playing together. A lot of these guys, including myself, like in our primes or entering our primes now and honestly it’s hard to ask for a better scenario — to bring back the whole team from last year. Honestly, it’s in our hands to fulfill the expectations that we have again this year.”
The Celtics already witnessed what a healthy Porzingis could propel Boston to last season, and now with a three-day break before returning to action, the return of their starting center could be the start of something special for the Celtics moving forward.
