Inside The Celtics

Kristaps Porzingis Sharp in Return, Helps Celtics Top Knicks

Kristaps Porzingis made his first seven shots and finished with 21 points in the Celtics' 133-123 win over the Knicks.

Bobby Krivitsky

Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
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After a four-game absence due to a left calf strain, Kristaps Porzingis returned to help the Boston Celtics improve to 10-0 at TD Garden.

Seven of those victories have been by double digits, including Friday's 133-123 win over the New York Knicks.

What was apparent in this one is that Porzingis re-entered the lineup in rhythm. He didn't miss a beat, scoring the hosts' first eight points and drilling his first seven shots.

From burying three of his six attempts from beyond the arc to his work in the mid-post, repeatedly getting the ball with his back to the basket, then facing up and shooting over his defender, the former All-Star was a formidable force.

Porzingis finished with 21 points on 7/13 shooting, helping propel Boston past his former team.

After the victory, when asked how his left calf held up and how he felt after his return, he told Abby Chin of NBC Sports Boston, "Felt great out there. Of course, a little bit at first, wind in the first quarter hit me. But overall, I felt good and happy about coming back and getting a win."

Porzingis also discussed Jaylen Brown's performance, the latter's first-career ejection, and the importance of the balance the Celtics demonstrated on a night where all five starters scored in double-figures.

Further Reading

White and Porzingis Shine as Celtics Pass Physical Challenge from Knicks

Jayson Tatum Discusses Kobe Bryant's Motivating Message, His All-Time Top 7, and Dream Finals Opponent

Kristaps Porzingis Discusses Why He Chose Celtics, First Impressions in Boston: 'Perfect Scenario'

Tyrese Haliburton, Another Sloppy 3rd Qtr., Propel Pacers Past Celtics in In-Season Tournament

Joe Mazzulla Praises Payton Pritchard's Fourth-Quarter Performance in C's Win vs. 76ers

An Empowered Jaylen Brown Strives to Balance Scoring with Playmaking: 'I've Grown A Lot'

Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis Discuss Their Quickly Cultivated Chemistry: 'An Automatic Connection'

Joe Mazzulla Believes Celtics' Second Unit is 'Starting to Develop an Identity'

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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