No one can stop these Boston Celtics: Kristaps Porzingis returns and they are very scary

In his first game since helping the Boston Celtics win the NBA championship five months ago, Kristaps Porzingis showed that he has not lost his rhythm. The 7'3'' center, who made his season debut after undergoing leg surgery during the summer, tallied 16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks in 23 minutes. Boston dominated from start to finish and defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 126-94 at TD Garden, holding a 29-point lead at halftime.

Porzingis, smiling, stated that he was feeling very good after a long rehabilitation process. He expressed his excitement about playing with the team again after winning the title and considered this first game a good start. From the beginning, his presence contributed both offensively, with his ability to space the floor, and defensively, protecting the rim effectively.

The Latvian showcased his versatility in the modern NBA game, being the tallest player on the court but taking half of his shots from the three-point line. Although he only made one of his six attempts from long range, he was efficient inside the arc with 5 out of 6 shots, including a basket from the mid-post over James Harden and several alley-oops from his teammates. Porzingis joked about his physical condition, noting that he was getting "flat tires" on his jumps due to a combination of adjustment and game rhythm, which he considered normal in his comeback.

Defensively, his impact was even more significant. The Celtics, who led the league in rim protection last season, had dropped to 19th place in this category, but with Porzingis on the court, they achieved their best defensive performance of the season, recording 11 blocks, their highest number of the year. Coach Joe Mazzulla highlighted this improvement, noting that Porzingis' presence changes the team's defensive dynamics.

Porzingis' preparation for this return started weeks ago, surpassing expectations at each stage of his rehabilitation. Although his return was initially expected in December or January, he participated in training with Boston's G League team a week ago and underwent intense pre-game practices. He was included in the starting lineup after being listed as probable on Monday morning.

Celtics Without Porzingis

The Celtics, despite his absence, have maintained an excellent pace this season, surpassing last year's expectations and averaging 50 three-point attempts per game, which could set records in the NBA. However, Porzingis' return was enthusiastically welcomed by fans, who cheered for him in warm-ups and during his introduction as a starter.

Boston's dominance throughout the 48 minutes reflected the team's potential to become the first to repeat as champions since 1969, with Porzingis playing a key role at both ends of the court. Jaylen Brown, who scored 16 points and was one of the six Boston players in double digits, emphasized the team's versatility, highlighting that the key is to maintain motivation and the right mindset to take advantage of the multiple options they have in their roster.

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