Porzingis and Morant celebrate triumphant NBA return

Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis and Memphis’ Ja Morant made their triumphant and long-awaited NBA returns from injuries on Monday, while Kyrie Irving scored 32 points to spark Dallas’ win in Atlanta.

Porzingis had 16 points and shot 5 of 6 from 3-point range, with six rebounds, two blocks and two assists in 23 minutes for the defending champion Celtics in a 126-94 home win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

“Well done and I’m looking forward to many, many great wins,” Porzingis said.

Latvian center Porzingis was sidelined for five months following surgery on his left ankle last June after he was injured in the NBA Finals.

“It killed me inside not being able to be out there,” Porzingis said. “But it was worth the wait to come back and finally be with my boys.”

“It’s been maybe a few weeks since I was nearing the finish line of starting playing, and the more I got up to speed, the more nervous I became to finally be out there. And here it is.”

When asked about his ankle, Porzingis said, “It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I had a few flat tires on a few lobs, but I was still able to finish it and I’m satisfied with the game, happy. “With the win and with every game I’ll find my rhythm more and more.”

Jayson Tatum and backup Payton Pritchard each scored 20 points to lead the Celtics, while Derrick White added 19 and Jaylen Brown 17.

“No matter who is on this team or who is not, we are an incredibly well-rounded team,” Porzingis said. “It’s like nothing. Whoever is out, we can still win every game.”

Ivica Zubac led the Clippers with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while James Harden had 19 points, eight rebounds and nine assists.

In Memphis, Morant was back in top form as the Grizzlies beat Portland 123-98.

Morant scored 20 of his 22 points in the first half and added 11 assists, while Jaren Jackson Jr. had 21 points for Memphis.

Morant has missed the last eight games for the Grizzlies after suffering a hip injury in a fall against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 6th.

In Atlanta, Irving scored 22 of his 32 points in the second half to lead the Dallas Mavericks over the host Hawks 129-119.

Jaden Hardy added 23 points while Naji Marshall and Spencer Dinwiddie each contributed 22 for the Mavs. Jalen Johnson scored 28 points to lead Atlanta, which has suffered three straight losses.

– Ivey wins for Detroit –

Detroit’s Jaden Ivey scored the last of his team-high 25 points with a floater at the final buzzer to give the Pistons a 102-100 victory over visiting Toronto.

Tyrese Haliburton scored 34 points and added 13 assists to lead the host Indiana Pacers over New Orleans 114-110.

German Franz Wagner scored 21 points to lead the Orlando Magic to a 95-84 win at Charlotte, although LaMelo Ball top-scored for the Hornets with 44 points.

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