How Porzingis is a game changer for the Celtics in two key areas originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
There’s a reason why Kristaps Porzingis was so eager to get back on the court.
Beyond the obvious – that Porzingis is a competitor who doesn’t like to sit on the sidelines – the Boston Celtics big man has figured out precisely how he can make one of the NBA’s best teams even better.
And that’s exactly what he did Monday night.
Porzingis gave the Celtics an energetic 22 minutes against the Los Angeles Clippers, posting 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting along with six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal. in his first game action since Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals.
The result was a well-deserved resounding 126-94 victory for a Celtics team that has played a surprising number of close games early in the season. But Porzingis knew exactly how he could help the C’s level up on both ends of the floor.
“What I want to bring to this team is obviously what I brought last season as well: opening up the floor for guys and my rim protection,” Porzingis told NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin after the game, as as shown in the video player above. “And I thought those were some of the things we could get better at.”
Consider these two missions accomplished in Monday’s rout. While Porzingis’ 3-point shooting was a little rusty (1-of-6 from deep), his mere presence behind the arc created more open looks for his teammates. Boston’s improved floor spacing led to a historic second quarter in which the Celtics made 12 3-pointers in 12 minutes, tie an NBA record.
The Celtics finished with 22 3-pointers on 51 attempts and six players scored in double figures as part of a balanced attack made easier by the addition of a dynamic offensive presence in Porzingis.
“When we’re at our best, we do this,” head coach Joe Mazzulla said after the game. “… With KP back, you have the opportunity to move into post-ups. We cut a backdoor for Jayson (Tatum). It just adds different layers to what you’re doing.”
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Porzingis, however, had an equally big impact on the defensive end.
Rim protection was an issue for the Celtics in 17 games – Boston ranks 26th in the NBA in points allowed per game – but the 7-foot-2 big man has shored up the middle, helping limit the Clippers to just 50 percent shooting on field goals. 2 points and 94 points, their second lowest score of the season.
“Just having someone like that on board, you know they have your back,” Celtics guard Payton Pritchard said about Porzingis. “So I can put more pressure on the ball, get in there, and if I get beat I know he’ll recover. It takes a lot of pressure off so you can take more chances and try to get more steals. “
Mazzulla was more succinct when asked how Porzingis’ presence helps Boston’s defense.
“Yeah, 11 blocks (as a team) tonight. That helps,” Mazzulla said with a smile.
The Celtics went 21-4 without Porzingis last season and started this season 14-3 in his absence, so they can clearly hold on while he’s sidelined. But when healthy, Porzingis transforms the best team in the league into a nearly unbeatable juggernaut – and he’s well aware of it.
“Regardless of who is on this team or not, we are an incredibly built team,” Porzingis told Abby Chin.
