Porzingis’ big Game 1 fueled by ‘unreal’ support from TD Garden crowd

Porzingis’ big Game 1 fueled by ‘unreal’ support from TD Garden crowd originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

BOSTON — Before Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals tipped off, Kristaps Porzingis was all smiles as he took the court to thunderous applause from the TD Garden crowd.

Porzingis hadn’t played since suffering a calf strain in Game 4 of the first-round series vs. Miami, so Boston Celtics fans couldn’t contain their excitement the second he was shown on the jumbotron. Their star big man, an unquestionable X factor for the series, was finally back.

Heading into Thursday’s matchup, there was some concern over whether Porzingis’ calf was 100 percent. The Latvian big man hesitated to answer when asked whether he was pain-free.

He left no doubts about his health when he entered off the bench midway through the first quarter. After another loud ovation, Porzingis went off for 11 points and two emphatic blocks in the opening frame. He was Boston’s most impactful player in the first half, logging a game-high 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting.

“I think obviously what helped me is just even from the walk out before the game and then getting on the court, getting that kind of support was unreal,” Porzingis said. “The adrenaline was pumping through my veins and that definitely helped.

“Obviously it wasn’t ideal that I was out for such a long time, but I did everything I could to prepare mentally for this moment coming back and it paid off. We got the job done tonight and had a good game, and happy about the result.

Mindful of Porzingis’ minutes, C’s coach Joe Mazzulla kept veteran big Al Horford in the starting lineup for Game 1. Porzingis had come off the bench only one other time in his nine-year NBA career, way back in the 2016-17 season.

That didn’t faze the 28-year-old veteran, whose mind is fixated on the ultimate goal.

“From day one I came here and I said I’ll do whatever it takes to help this team win,” he said. “I think it was — this situation, you know, it made sense. I didn’t care. I didn’t care. I knew I could prepare to come off the bench, which is something different for me, and that’s what I did and stepped into…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/porzingis-big-game-1-fueled-044320533.html

Author : NBC Sports Boston

Publish date : 2024-06-07 04:45:37

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