Kristaps Porzingis: ‘I’m Still Gonna Get Much, Much Better'

Kristaps Porzingis continued to foreshadow what is ahead for him and his new team as the Celtics, now 3-0, beat up his previous squad, the Wizards, 126-107.

Rob Greene | Oct 31, 2023

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Kristaps Porzingis has been lights out, everything Boston fans imagined and then some in his first few outings as a Celtic. The center has averaged 20.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and two blocks shooting 58.3 percent from the field and 47.1 from three. His winning plays against his two former teams in this first week as a big emphasis, Basketball Reference even listed Porzingis as an MVP candidate thus far.

Back in Washington on Monday night, Porzingis was a focal point of Boston's scary offensive potency that was commonly led by Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum combining for 69 points with 12 triples. Porzingis had 15 points, six rebounds and three assists on 7-9 shooting.

He has already voiced numerous times in postgame interviews not only his enthusiasm of being a Celtic, but his excitement of the road ahead and what is coming for Boston.

We still haven't seen KP's final form 👀

Kristaps Porzingis believes he's not yet in his best shape and will continue to get much better pic.twitter.com/sUnBpJg38a
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) October 31, 2023

"So far I'm enjoying playing with these guys," Porzingis said after Monday night's win over the Wizards. "Like honestly, this is a very, very talented team. I think I fit really well with these guys and it's been pretty smooth to get adjusted to playing with these guys. In terms of my game, I'm still gonna get much, much better."

Porzingis first kicked off his statement adding the perspective of how it was not the greatest of summers when it comes to offseason work due to the plantar fasciittis he dealt with. It forced him to miss the FIBA World Cup for Latvia, so he was not up to full speed with his workouts until Boston's training camp began. He mentioned how he is still on his way to top-notch shape.

"I'm still kinda, as I said, just working my way back into top-shape," Porzingis said. "Joe (Mazzulla) has been great, he's been challenging me in practice and training camp, and now even during games, some situations happen. He wants the best out of us as players, and yeah. There's many things that I see from him that I'm very surprised how good he is and I look forward to us keep building that chemistry as a group, and with the coaching staff, and with Joe."

Porzingis' versatile and scary presence for opposing teams on both ends will continue to grow and develop in the Celtics' system more and more each contest.

Further Reading

What the 76ers' Trading James Harden Means for the Celtics

James Harden Trade Bolsters Clippers, Prepares 76ers for Future with or Without Joel Embiid

Weighing Whether Celtics Should Sign Danny Green

After Dominant Display vs. Wizards, Celtics Discuss Not Playing Down to Competition

Oshae Brissett Shines in Celtics Win vs. Heat: 'He Changed the Game'

Here's Where Jaylen Brown Impressed Joe Mazzulla the Most in Celtics' Win vs. Heat

Kristaps Porzingis Gives Glimpse of How He'll Boost Celtics Late-Game Offense

Celtics Embracing Sacrifice in Championship Pursuit: 'Have to Buy into That'

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present

Candace Parker on Celtics Trading Marcus Smart, Maximizing Tatum-Brown Tandem, Pat Summitt, and the Sports Matter Initiative

Here's What to Know About Celtics' 2023-24 Schedule