Kristaps Porzingis' Quote About The Dallas Mavericks Went Viral Before NBA Finals

Kristaps Porzingis (Celtics) met with the media before the NBA Finals.

Dec 14, 2019; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the game between the Mavericks and the Heat at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

On June 6, the Boston Celtics will host the Dallas Mavericks in Massachusetts for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Kristaps Porzingis is in his first year with the Celtics after getting traded (via the Washington Wizards) over the offseason.

Before the Wizards, he had spent part of three seasons playing for Dallas.

Jan 17, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrates with center Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

On Tuesday, Porzingis met with the media and spoke about his former team.

Porzingis Via The NBA: "I think it's gonna be great. Played there for two and a half years, and I'm happy for everybody in Dallas. A lot of great relationships I have there and I think they deserve to have some success like they've had this season. It's gonna be fun going up against my old team, going back to Dallas, playing some games there. Looking forward to it."

"I think it's gonna be great. Played there for two and a half years... and I'm happy for everyone in Dallas. Lot of great relationships there and I think they deserve to have success like they've had this season"

- Porzingis on facing his former team, the Dallas Mavericks pic.twitter.com/rsZZ1cj2DX

— NBA (@NBA) June 4, 2024

While the Mavs had a talented roster, Porzingis and Luka Doncic were unable to get out of the first round of the playoffs during their short stint as teammates.

🙌 https://t.co/a6kxlh1R4O pic.twitter.com/giegKG9hUo

— NBA (@NBA) June 4, 2024

Porzingis finished the regular season with averages of 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.9 blocks per contest while shooting 51.6% from the field and 37.5% from the three-point range in 57 games.

That said, he has missed each of the previous ten games and hasn't played since the first round.

Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis (calf) has completed multiple scrimmages in recent days and is expected to return to action for Game 1 of the NBA Finals vs. Dallas on Thursday night barring setback, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Porzingis has been sidelined since April 29. pic.twitter.com/3kdyvJQyqt

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 4, 2024

The Celtics are the first seed in the Eastern Conference and had the best record in the NBA (64-18).

They beat the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers in the first three rounds of the playoffs.