Kristaps Porzingis' Impressive Stretch Building Anticipation for Playoffs
Kristaps Porzingis, posting stellar numbers of late, is eager for Celtics' anticipated deep playoff run
BOSTON — In many ways, Kristaps Porzingis’ game-high 27 points and five blocks in the Celtics’ 135-100 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder are a testament to how Boston (60-16) clinched the league’s best record Wednesday night at TD Garden.
While All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are respectively turning in consecutive All-NBA campaigns, Porzingis’ dual presence on both ends of the floor is menacing for championship contenders. Averaging 20.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks a game, Porzingis is why Boston closed out dozens of victories this season. And Wednesday’s win was no different.
Kristaps scored 17 of his game-high 27 points in the first half, getting off to a hot start. Then, he made his presence felt on defense as a pesty rim-defender, altering drives and swatting five shots — two shy of his career-high (7).
The Thunder, playing without MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, knew they were heading into Wednesday’s matchup with their hands full. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault reminded everyone of Kristaps’ impact before tip-off.
“He’s a dynamic fit for them,” Daigneault said pregame. “He’s a rim-protecting floor spacer. So, the rim is the most efficient part of the floor in terms of shots you can get other than a free throw but most of the free throws come from attacking the rim. So, for him to be able to create space for them to get there on the offensive end, and then defend that spot on the defensive end. We have a guy that has done that for us, and that’s changed our teams in a lot of ways. So, I think he’s changed their team in a lot of ways.
“He’s a matchup problem, and he’s as much of a problem defensively as he is on offense.”
As the secondary option to Joe Mazzulla’s All-NBA duo, Porzingis is shooting at a 51.6% clip this season — a career-best for a nine-year veteran who stretches the floor with his outside touch. Kristaps is a 37.1% 3-point shooter — which makes him someone you don’t want to leave open from behind the arc, forcing opposing bigs out of the paint to defend the perimeter.
This often opens up lanes for Tatum and Brown. The Celtics have dominated the regular season and officially clinched the league’s best record while increasing their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference to 13.0 games.
After missing five consecutive games due to a strained hamstring, Porzingis recorded 20 points, eight rebounds, one block, and one steal in a March 119-94 win against the Detroit Pistons. Then, he went on an impressive stretch, including a 19-point, four-block performance in a 104-92 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, illustrating Kristaps’ impact on creating defensive stops while supplementing points.
Averaging 21.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.2 blocks, and 1.0 steals while shooting at a 53.4% clip, 47.3% from three over the past four games, Porzingis knows what matters most is just around the corner. He’s played in only 54 games this season, which marks only the second time Kristaps’ has played 52+ games in an 82-game regular season since 2020.
For years, Porzingis’s health was an ongoing concern. But after playing 65 games in 2022-23 for the Washington Wizards and a relatively healthy year thriving in Boston, Porzingis is prepared for the ultimate test of the NBA postseason.
“My legs are a little bit better, but mostly, it’s just starting to turn up a little bit more,” Porzingis said after the win. “I want to be at (my) best moment for the playoffs. Just getting into that mindset and finishing the regular season strong — that’s what I’m trying to do.”