Kristaps Porzingis on Knicks Fans Following Dallas' Loss: ‘I’m Not Gonna Try to Win Them Over Now’

Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis heard boos from the New York crowd throughout Dallas’ 106-103 loss to the Knicks on Thursday night in his first game at Madison Square Garden since being traded last season.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis heard boos from the New York crowd throughout Dallas’ 106-103 loss to the Knicks on Thursday night as the Latvian forward played in his first game back at Madison Square Garden since being traded on Jan. 31, 2019.

“I’m not gonna try to win them over now,” Porzingis said. “It is what it is. I understand where they’re coming from.”

Porzingis put up 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 33 minutes of action, but according to Knicks forward Marcus Morris, the Mavericks big man seemed uncomfortable with the fans' greeting.

“It looked like he was a little rattled too,” Morris said. “It kinda helped us.”

For years, Knicks fans seemingly adored Porzingis, but the former No. 4 overall reportedly tired of the organization and eventually requested a trade.

New York has gotten off to a 3-9 start, with two of those wins coming against Dallas. It has been a rocky few weeks for the franchise as coach David Fizdale appears to be on the hot seat.

Porzingis discussed New York’s early-season struggles on Wednesday after Mavericks practice.

“I remember when I was there, the expectation was always high for us,” Porzingis told reporters. “It’s a city hungry for success in basketball. For them, and for the fans, and for the city to be going through this year after year, it’s got to be tough.”

The Knicks host the Hornets on Saturday night while the Mavericks travel back to Dallas and host the Raptors.