Kristaps Porzingis provided a peculiar yet telling metaphor to describe the Boston Celtics‘ up-and-down performances this season, calling them a “house cat” compared to the “lion” they were during their championship-winning campaign last year.
Following the Celtics’ commanding 122-107 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night, Porzingis shared his thoughts on the team’s mindset and consistency in what has been a rollercoaster season.
“We were a lion last season, and some games this year we’ve looked like a house cat. We want to have that spirit as a team this year, and it’s tough. Obviously we can’t trick ourselves and make it like it’s playoffs every game.”
“It’s tough, just human nature. But we know the group that we have and we know that we’re going to bring it to the big games, but we need to bring it consistently and keep building on top of good wins like tonight.”
Kristaps Porzingis’ comments highlight the challenge of maintaining focus and energy across an 82-game season, particularly for a team that has set such high standards. Injuries, fatigue, and an occasional lack of urgency have plagued Boston, making it clear that the team must find a way to sustain the “lion” mentality Porzingis referenced.
After a dominant run last season that saw the Celtics clinch the NBA title with authority, this year’s team has struggled to replicate the same dominance. Despite holding an impressive 32-14 record, Boston’s recent form—11-9 over their last 20 games and 6-4 in their last 10 games has revealed cracks in their armor.
The team’s tendency to alternate between spectacular wins and puzzling losses has frustrated fans and players alike. Notably, the Celtics have struggled to string together strong performances, often following up victories with letdowns, going 3-8 in games after wins during this stretch.
The Latvian big man has been a key contributor since joining the Celtics in the offseason. After dealing with early-season injuries, Porzingis has recently found his rhythm, averaging 19.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks over his last 10 games while shooting an impressive 47.3% from three-point range. His ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim has significantly boosted Boston’s lineup.
Against the Mavericks, Porzingis tallied 18 points and 7 rebounds, helping the Celtics secure a bounce-back win after a disappointing blowout loss to the Los Angeles Lakers just two days earlier. All five Celtics starters scored at least 17 points, a testament to the team’s potential when firing on all cylinders.
With nine games remaining before the All-Star break, including tough matchups against the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks, the Celtics can solidify their form and send a message to the league. As Porzingis emphasized, patience and incremental progress will be key to regaining their “lion” mentality.
If Boston can recapture last season’s dominance, the league should be on high alert, as a focused Celtics team is still one of the most dangerous forces in the NBA.
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