Boston Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis could not have responded to all the buzz surrounding his supposed vendetta against his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, in a better way.
After being sidelined for multiple weeks due to a lingering calf injury, the 7-foot-2 big man came back with a statement performance on Thursday night to help lead his team to a 107-89 blowout win in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Boston Celtics News: Kristaps Porzingis Reacts to Magnificent Game 1 Performance
In his first game back after a lengthy injury layoff, Porzingis made sure to make up for lost time. He finished with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting, to go along with six rebounds, three blocks, and two triples in just 21 minutes off the Boston bench.
After the game, the 28-year-old said that he did everything he could to prepare for his return in Game 1. However, Porzingis also admitted that it was the outpouring of support from the Celtics fans that fueled his outstanding performance:
“Obviously what helped me is just … getting that kind of support was unreal,” he said. “The adrenaline was pumping through my veins.”
"Getting that kind of support was unreal… the adrenaline was pumping through my veins"
KP after 20 PTS and a W in his return 🙌 pic.twitter.com/cXeFkxYeZS
— NBA (@NBA) June 7, 2024
Many believe that Porzingis will be the X-factor for the Celtics in this series, and the result of Game 1 could be a major testament to the same. Jayson Tatum (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Jaylen Brown (22 points, six rebounds) are both going to do their thing, but if Porzingis is able to keep up this level of play, then the Mavs could be in big trouble.
For More NBA Content:
Follow me on Twitter at @PaoloSongcoNBA, and follow us @HardwoodHeroics. You can also reach out to Paolo Songco via email at [email protected]. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest NBA news, click here!
