How Porzingis is changing the Celtics in two key areas

How Porzingis is changing the Celtics in two key areas originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

There’s a reason why Kristaps Porzingis was so anxious to get back on the court.

Beyond the obvious – that Porzingis is a competitor who doesn’t like sitting on the sidelines – the Boston Celtics big man understood specifically how he could make one of the NBA’s best teams even better.

And that’s exactly what he did on Monday evening.

Porzingis gave the Celtics 22 energetic minutes against the Los Angeles Clippers, scoring 16 points on 6 of 12 shooting along with six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal in his first game action since Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals.

The result was a much-needed 126-94 victory for a Celtics team that played a surprising number of close games early in the season. But Porzingis knew exactly how to help the C’s step up on both ends of the floor.

“What I want to bring to this team is obviously what I brought last season: opening up the court for the guys and my rim protection,” Porzingis told NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin after the game, as seen in the video player above is. “And I thought those were some of the things we could get better at.”

Consider both missions accomplished in Monday’s defeat. While Porzingis’ 3-point shot was a bit rusty (1-for-6 from distance), his mere presence behind the arc gave his teammates a more open look. Boston’s improved court spacing led to a historic second quarter in which the Celtics made 12 3-pointers in 12 minutes, tying an NBA record.

The Celtics finished the game with 22 made 3-point shots on 51 attempts and six players scored in double figures as part of a balanced attack bolstered by the addition of a dynamic offensive presence in Porzingis.

“When we’re at our best, we do it,” head coach Joe Mazzulla said after the game. “…With KP returning, you have the opportunity to go to post-ups. We got a backdoor cut for Jayson (Tatum). So it just adds other layers to what you’re doing.”

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However, Porzingis made an equally big impression on defense.

Rim protection had been a problem for the Celtics through 17 games – Boston ranks 26th in the NBA in points allowed per game – but the 7-foot-2 big man shored up the middle and helped keep the Clippers within close range 100 points, 50 percent shooting on 2-pointers and 94 points, her second-lowest point total of the season.

“When you have someone like that on the sidelines, you know he has your back,” Celtics guard Payton Pritchard said of Porzingis. “So I can put more pressure on the ball, get involved with it, and if I get hit, I know it will recover.” . It takes a lot of pressure off so you can take more chances and try to get more steals.”

Mazzulla was more succinct when asked how Porzingis’ presence helps Boston’s defense.

“Yeah, 11 blocks tonight (as a team). That helps,” Mazzulla said with a smile.

The Celtics went 21-4 without Porzingis last season and have started 14-3 this season in his absence, so they can clearly keep up while he’s sidelined. But when healthy, Porzingis turns the league’s top team into a nearly unbeatable juggernaut – and he knows it.

“No matter who is on this team or who is not, we are an incredibly well-rounded team,” Porzingis told Abby Chin.