Knicks Ex Kristaps Porzingis Analyzes Present, Future MSG Meetings With Celtics
Just when New York Knicks fans felt Kristaps Porzingis couldn't get any more boo-able, he goes ahead and does something like this ... and totally (doesn't) redeem himself.
Knicks fans were more or less over Porzingis' unceremonious exit from the position of metropolitan basketball franchise face in 2019 but donning the base's most hated colors more or less set the boo birds free. Now a member of the Boston Celtics, Porzingis has been one of the most noticeable interruptions of an otherwise sterling season for the Knicks, who dropped a 116-102 decision to Beantown at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.
“I think each year is less (booing). But maybe now that I’m on Boston, it’s again up a little bit," Porzingis said with a slight smirk in the aftermath, per Jared Schwartz of the New York Post. "To be honest, I prefer some sort of emotion. A lot of people are supporting me also, but there’s still some boos out there for sure."
Brad Penner, USA TODAY SPORTS
“To be honest, there’s still some home feeling here. At the end of the day, three-and-a-half years here, a lot of great memories, my family is here, I fell in love playing here, and now I love playing here as a guest. (I have) nothing but positive emotions when I come here.”
Porzingis scored 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting in Boston's latest win, its eighth in a row. An alley-oop from Derrick White with just over three minutes remaining re-established the Celtics' game-best 20-point lead and served as the finishing touch to the Knicks' sixth loss in the past eight games.
It was perhaps hard for Knicks fans to muster true emotions for Porzingis since originally returning as an opponent in 2019: he struggled to find a role in Dallas and carried water for the woebegone Washington Wizards since his New York departure but has since earned metropolitan jeers as the potential missing piece to a championship puzzle for one of the city's most hated rivals.
The 28-year-old Porzingis reflected on his emotional journey in the aftermath, believing himself to be a different player and perhaps a different human being than he was in New York and Dallas.
"I think it's just natural, the younger you are the more you push first and it's like oh my minutes, my points. It's cool for every young player to feel that way," he said (h/t New York Basketball on X). "The older you get and the quicker you can get there mentally where it's like, listen, all of that is going to take care of yourself (the better)."
"I just want to play ball the right way. I want to win ... The priorities kind of start to shift as you get older as a player. I'm at that point and hitting my prime at this age where the game slows down you're making better decisions on the floor."
The Celtics (45-12) have reaped the benefits of a matured Porzingis: with March looming, Boston is five games up on Minnesota for homecourt advantage throughout the NBA playoffs and is on the cusp of its first four-plus game season sweep of the Knicks since 2010-11. Porzingis has averaged 23.5 points in the first four showdowns, his second-best against any Eastern Conference opponent he has faced at least twice this season (ironically behind only the 24.5 he has against Washington).
One more meeting between the Knicks and Celtics is scheduled for April 11 at TD Garden but Porzingis believes the lasting rivals are destined to do postseason battle both now and later. For all the taunts he has faced as an opponent over the past five years, Porzingis mentioned that he's "happy" for the Knicks for having found his successor in Jalen Brunson, who has effectively served as the city's hardwood face since coming over on a four-year deal in the summer of 2022.
"if we see them in the playoffs, for example, it’s going to be a crazy environment and crazy emotions, so I look forward to that," Porzingis said in Schwartz's report. "Knowing (Brunson) and his personality, it’s no coincidence they’re this good."
"I’m happy for them, I’m happy for the city. The city was hungry for a good team, and finally these guys after a year in the playoffs and making runs are bringing some excitement to the league. I think the league is better when the Knicks are good.”
