Kristaps Porzingis made his much-awaited return from injury in Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks. As Porzingis was making his way to the court before the game, Celtics fans started to loudly cheer him on and the Latvian spoke about getting that reception, in the lead-up to Game 2.
“It was insane. I’m not going to lie,” Porzingis said. “Just walking in the tunnel it was kinda like a WWE-style walk-in. I didn’t even know it was for me at first. Then walking out, just hearing the crowd roar, and getting real excitement to start the game and give everything to these fans that came to support.
"It was insane, I'm not gonna lie. Just walking in the tunnel, it was kinda like a WWE style walk in." 🤣
Kristaps Porzingis on the Boston environment in his return for Game 1 ☘️ pic.twitter.com/3FnRnkmmJz
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 8, 2024
Here is the clip on the fans starting to cheer for Porzingis as he walks in the tunnel.
— Steve (@Roberge1313) June 8, 2024
That sure did look like what we have seen in the WWE over the years. Porzingis certainly didn’t let down those Celtics fans either. In 21 minutes off the bench, the 28-year-old had 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
Porzingis scored 11 points in the first quarter alone, as he helped the Celtics jump out to a 37-20 lead at the end of the period. The lead then ballooned to 29 at one point and while the Mavericks stormed back in the third quarter, the Celtics managed to keep them at arm’s length to win 107-89.
There was a lot of talk during these playoffs about the Celtics being rather fortunate that their opponents had stars either miss time or be out due to injury. Jimmy Butler didn’t play at all in the first round for the Miami Heat while Donovan Mitchell and Tyrese Haliburton missed a couple of games in the second round and the Conference Finals respectively.
What seemed to be brushed aside was that Porzingis was out with an injury as well. Now, the one-time All-Star is obviously nowhere near as good as those three, but he showed in Game 1 just how impactful he can be when he’s on the court. The Celtics would be hoping that Porzingis keeps this up the rest of the way.
Marc J. Spears Felt Kristaps Porzingis Had The Most Dominant Return In The Last 25 Years
Porzingis’ heroics in Game 1 on his return from injury led to him getting some rather high praise from Marc J. Spears.
“I can’t say I’ve ever seen such a dominant return in 25 years of watching the NBA.”
20 points in 21 minutes of play 🔥@marcjspears was impressed with Porzingis 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/DvRVhvYK8C
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 7, 2024
I think that might be a bit much. Porzingis was great no doubt, but I am not sure I would go as far as to say it was the most dominant return. When I think of the most dominant outing a player has had after returning from injury, my mind immediately goes to Stephen Curry’s performance in Game 4 of the 2016 Western Conference Semifinals against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Curry had sprained his right knee in Game 4 in the first round against the Houston Rockets and was simply incredible on his return. He scored 40 points, including an NBA playoff record 17 in overtime to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 132-125 win.
I take nothing away from Porzingis’ display, but that performance from Curry was simply better in every possible way. Steph and the Warriors famously went on to lose in the Finals that year, though, and Porzingis would be hoping his Celtics avoid that fate here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwFAxQXhB1E
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