It was the big night for Kristaps Porzingis. More than five months after his injury, the Latvian interior returned to action with the Celtics. It was against the Clippers, and it ended with a big victory for a smooth return, with 16 points at 6/12 including 1/6 behind the 3-point line, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks.
“I felt good” could smile the former KnicksMavericks and Wizards. “It was a long rehabilitation, and I was itchy to come back with the team after the title. It's a good start, for a first match. »
Served a lot at the start of the match on pick-and-pop, Kristaps Porzingis was a little rusty from afar and he increased his points counter by getting closer to the circle, especially on alley-oops. Even if he admits that he wasn't totally in the right timing, and that he needs to find his automatisms and his legs again.
“It’s part of the process, especially in the first game. About timing when jumping, about being tired here and there. But that's normal.” he assures.
The 19th defense near the circle without Kristaps Porzingis
But even in search of rhythm and cardio, Kristaps Porzingis brings his 2m18 and 2m29 wingspan. Enough to help a team which has sometimes suffered since the start of the season in the racket, lacking intimidation. Best defense near the circle last year, Boston was only 19th in the category this season, without KP…
“Yes, 11 blocks this evening” Joe Mazzulla could also smile on the impact of Kristaps Porzingis, while the Celtics had never exceeded eight this season. “It helps. »
For Boston, the return of Kristaps Porzingis thus multiplies the possibilities, in attack and in defense.
“The options will change every night, because we are a very versatile team” concludes Jaylen Brown. “We have the luxury of having a lot of guys who can do a lot of things. The key is just to stay motivated and keep a great mentality. »
Kristaps Porzingis | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
2015-16 | NYK | 72 | 28 | 42.1 | 33.3 | 83.8 | 1.8 | 5.5 | 7.3 | 1.3 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 14.3 |
2016-17 | NYK | 66 | 33 | 45.0 | 35.7 | 78.6 | 1.7 | 5.5 | 7.2 | 1.5 | 3.7 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 18.1 |
2017-18 | NYK | 48 | 32 | 43.9 | 39.5 | 79.3 | 1.3 | 5.3 | 6.6 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 22.7 |
2019-20 | DAL | 57 | 32 | 42.7 | 35.2 | 79.9 | 1.8 | 7.7 | 9.5 | 1.8 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 20.4 |
2020-21 | DAL | 43 | 31 | 47.6 | 37.6 | 85.5 | 1.9 | 7.0 | 8.9 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 20.1 |
2021-22 * | All Teams | 51 | 29 | 45.9 | 31.0 | 86.7 | 2.0 | 6.1 | 8.1 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 20.2 |
2021-22 * | DAL | 34 | 30 | 45.1 | 28.3 | 86.5 | 1.9 | 5.8 | 7.7 | 2.0 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 19.2 |
2021-22 * | W.A.S. | 17 | 28 | 47.5 | 36.7 | 87.1 | 2.2 | 6.6 | 8.8 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 22.1 |
2022-23 | W.A.S. | 65 | 33 | 49.8 | 38.5 | 85.1 | 1.8 | 6.7 | 8.4 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 23.2 |
2023-24 | BOS | 57 | 30 | 51.6 | 37.5 | 85.8 | 1.7 | 5.5 | 7.2 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 20.1 |
Total | 459 | 31 | 45.9 | 36.1 | 83.1 | 1.7 | 6.1 | 7.9 | 1.8 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 19.7 |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.