<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/celtics-news-kristaps-porzingis-scorekeeper-stealing-his-rebounds');   ga('set', 'title', 'Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis hilariously accuses scorekeeper of stealing his rebounds');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/0-Kristaps-Porzingis-hilariously-accuses-scorekeeper-of-stealing-his-rebounds-0.jpg"></figure><h1>Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis hilariously accuses scorekeeper of stealing his rebounds</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-22T08:53:40-08:00">December 22nd, 8:53am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-22T08:53:40-08:00">December 22nd, 8:53am</time><address><a>Malik Brown</a>Malik Brown is a multimedia reporter based in Atlanta who covers the Hawks and Dream for ClutchPoints. Malik has worked in entertainment and sports, and he specializes in the NBA and NFL.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Boston <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-payton-pritchard-drops-best-admission-boston-3-point-shooting">Celtics had a convincing win</a> against the Chicago Bulls, and Kristaps Porgingis had a solid game, finishing with 22 points and seven rebounds. Porzingis was working the boards, but it seems like he didn’t get as many rebounds as he thought he did.</p><p>After the game, Porzingis hilariously <a href="https://x.com/NoaDalzell/status/1870683145999437829" rel="noopener">called out the scorekeeper</a> for stealing his rebounds.</p><p>“It looks like they stole a couple of my rebounds and gave them to him [Tatum],” Porzingis said. “I’m the only player in the league that has to get 12 or 13 rebounds to get a double-double.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kristaps Porzingis had a funny bit about feeling like his rebounds get stolen from the box score:  </p><p>“It looks like they stole a couple of my rebounds and gave them to him [Tatum]. I'm the only player in the league that has to get 12 or 13 rebounds to get a double-double.” <a href="https://t.co/IhfZXxkCnI">pic.twitter.com/IhfZXxkCnI</a></p><p>— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) <a href="https://twitter.com/NoaDalzell/status/1870683145999437829?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Luckily for the Celtics, they were still able to win despite Porgzingis’ funny frustrations.</p><h2>Celtics continue to dominate</h2><p>The Celtics are still rolling through the season, putting on big performances, and their recent one was against the Bulls. Jayson Tatum finished with 43 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists, and his strong season continues. After the game, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-joe-mazzulla-kristaps-porzingis-jayson-tatum-mvp-pr-him">Joe Mazzulla was asked</a> if he thinks people take Tatum for granted.</p><p>“Yeah, no question. 100 percent. It does because I think he’s been doing it for such a long time, and he’s on a really good team,” Mazzulla said. “I think that hurts him sometimes, but his ability to do what he does on a great team, I think, says more about who he is as a player. But, yes, for sure.”</p><p>Kristaps Porzingis came in after and agreed with Mazzulla’s comments.</p><p>“100 percent. Joe is right,” Porzingis said. “He’s not a PR player — he doesn’t do everything just for PR. He actually plays the right way, he doesn’t need to always score 50. He’s hungry for winning. And that’s a big difference.”</p><p>Tatum has been one of the league’s best players, and he was able to justify it by winning a championship last year. The way the Celtics are playing this year, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they were back in the NBA Finals at the end of season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis hilariously accuses scorekeeper of stealing his rebounds

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/celtics-news-joe-mazzulla-kristaps-porzingis-jayson-tatum-mvp-pr-him');   ga('set', 'title', 'Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla, Kristaps Porzingis do Jayson Tatum’s MVP PR for him');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/0Joe-Mazzulla-Kristaps-Porzingis-do-Jayson-Tatums-MVP-PR-for-him.jpg"></figure><h1>Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla, Kristaps Porzingis do Jayson Tatum’s MVP PR for him</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-22T08:11:34-08:00">December 22nd, 8:11am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-22T08:11:34-08:00">December 22nd, 8:11am</time><address><a>Josue Pavon</a>Josue Pavon is an Associate Editor and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer for ClutchPoints. He started his career as a credentialed media member writing about the Boston Celtics for WEEI.com in Boston, where he grew into a local on-camera NBA reporter and podcast host for CLNS Media. Alongside the Celtics radio broadcaster and two-time NBA champion Cedric Maxwell, Josue is the co-host of the Cedric Maxwell podcast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum dominated the Chicago Bulls with a memorable signature triple-double performance (43 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists) in a 123-88 win. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-jayson-tatum-rare-feat-not-done-since-larry-bird">Tatum reached a feat not seen since Larry Bird</a>, recording a 40-point triple-double that sparked head coach Joe Mazzulla and starting center Kristaps Porzingis to endorse their All-NBA star for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award.</p><p>After the win, Mazzulla was <a href="https://twitter.com/NoaDalzell/status/1870676396756095318" rel="noopener">asked</a> if Tatum’s greatness regarding the MVP conversation was overlooked, per SB Nation’s Noa Dalzell.</p><p>“Yeah, no question. 100 percent. It does because I think he’s been doing it for such a long time, and he’s on a really good team,” Mazzulla said. “I think that hurts him sometimes, but his ability to do what he does on a great team, I think, says more about who he is as a player. But, yes, for sure.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Joe Mazzulla on whether he feels Jayson Tatum’s greatness is overlooked when it comes to the MVP race: </p><p>“Yeah, no question. 100% it does.” <a href="https://t.co/YaRU460I6Z">pic.twitter.com/YaRU460I6Z</a></p><p>— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) <a href="https://twitter.com/NoaDalzell/status/1870676396756095318?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Porzingis, Tatum’s teammate, <a href="https://twitter.com/NoaDalzell/status/1870682304101994894" rel="noopener">agreed</a> with his head coach.</p><p>“100 percent. Joe is right,” Porzingis said. “He’s not a PR player — he doesn’t do everything just for PR. He actually plays the right way, he doesn’t need to always score 50. He’s hungry for winning. And that’s a big difference.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kristaps Porzingis agreed with Joe 100% that people take Jayson Tatum for granted: </p><p>“He’s not a PR player — he doesn't do everything just for PR. He actually plays the right way, he doesn't need to always score 50. He’s hungry for winning. And that's a big difference.” <a href="https://t.co/aOAwv8XMQv">pic.twitter.com/aOAwv8XMQv</a></p><p>— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) <a href="https://twitter.com/NoaDalzell/status/1870682304101994894?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Tatum went 16-for-24, including 9-of-15 from deep. Porzingis finished with 22 points, seven rebounds, and two steals, and Jaylen Brown added 19 points, eight assists, and five rebounds.</p><h2><b>Jayson Tatum pulls off rare Celtics feat not done since Larry Bird</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Celtics-superstar-Jayson-Tatum.jpg"><figcaption>Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Joe Mazzulla and Kristaps Porzingis watched Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum reach Larry Bird’s plateau with a franchise milestone in his 43-point triple-double on the road against the Bulls Saturday night. After <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-jayson-tatum-playing-pistons-boston-injury-update">Tatum was ruled out against the Pistons</a>, he bounced back in a big way in the Celtics’ two games against the Bulls. Then, he chased down Bird’s impressive feat as the last Celtics player to <a href="https://x.com/KCJHoop/status/1870665510641139763" rel="noopener">reach</a> a triple-double with 40+ points, per CHSN’s K.C. Johnson.</p><p>After the win, a reporter asked Mazzulla if Tatum, one assist away, had requested to check back into the game in the fourth quarter to seal his historic triple-double. The Celtics head coach said no and that Tatum would not do it, per SB Nation’s Noa Dalzell.</p><p>“He would not lobby for that. He would not. There’s been a few times where I’ve actually not been paying attention, and I didn’t put him back in, and then afterwards I had to apologize… because of what our guys do for each other, you should reward that,” Mazzulla said.</p><p>Averaging 28.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, Tatum makes a strong case for this year’s MVP.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla, Kristaps Porzingis do Jayson Tatum’s MVP PR for him

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-news-kristaps-porzingis-heartfelt-message-janis-timma-passing');   ga('set', 'title', 'Kristaps Porzingis posts heartfelt message after Janis Timma’s passing');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Kristaps-Porzingis-posts-heartfelt-message-after-Janis-Timmas-passing.jpg"></figure><h1>Kristaps Porzingis posts heartfelt message after Janis Timma’s passing</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-17T06:34:14-08:00">December 17th, 6:34am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-17T06:34:14-08:00">December 17th, 6:34am</time><address><a>Rexwell Villas</a>Rexwell Villas is an experienced sports writer covering a variety of sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college football. He's a Communications Arts graduate from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, and he claims to have JR Smith's conscience with his shot selection. He has won a basketball, a baseball, and a football championship in fantasy all within a year.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-orlando-releases-statement-on-death-of-former-player-janis-timma">death of Janis Timma has left the basketball world in shock</a>. Among the many <a href="https://x.com/kporzee/status/1868891038561210578" rel="noopener">who have reacted to the tragic news</a> of Timma’s passing is Boston Celtics star big man Kristaps Porzingis, who, like Timma, is Latvian.</p><p>“Oh no, please tell me that’s not true,” Porzingis wrote in Latvian on X (formerly Twitter).</p><p>In a separate post, Porzingis shared a heartfelt message that reminded everyone to <a href="https://x.com/kporzee/status/1868912330740056412" rel="noopener">always try to reach out</a> for mental health’s sake.</p><p>“Human connection is the cornerstone of our mental health. Please look after each other. JT light sand ❤️@janis_timma,” Porzingis said.</p><p>Timma was reportedly <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/nba-janis-timma-death-anna-sedokova-2001967" rel="noopener">found dead in Moscow, Russia</a>, though, authorities have yet to release an official statement about the nature of his death, as of this writing, per Newsweek.</p><p>Timma had extensive experience as a professional player, with most of his playing years spent in Europe. He was a two-time VTB United League Top Latvian Player, a former Baltic League champion and an ex-Baltic League Most Valuable Player. In addition, Timma had donned his country’s colors numerous times, including in the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga.</p><h2><b>Janis Timma’s death shocks Kristaps Porzingis, basketball world</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Kristaps-Porzingis-Reacts-Celtics.jpg"><figcaption>Peter Casey-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/redrafting-2015-nba-draft-karl-anthony-towns-devin-booker">Before Kristaps Porzingis came into the NBA scene</a>, Timma tried his luck in the league. In 2013, Timma was selected 60th overall in that year’s NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, who later traded his rights to the Orlando Magic for veteran guard Luke Ridnour.</p><p>Timma never saw action in the NBA, but he did play in the Summer League for the Orlando Magic in 2021. In 20 games for the Lakeland Magic — including three starts — Timma averaged 6.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists.</p><p>During the 2023-24 Liga ACB season, Timma averaged 8.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 steals through 10 games while shooting 38.8 percent from the field with just a 31.7 success rate on shots taken from behind the arc.</p><p>Following Timma’s death, his ex-wife, Ukrainian singer and actress Anna Sedokova, shared an emotional post via Instagram Story.</p><p>“I have never understood how people who have this in their lives can record stories,” Sedokova, speaking in Russian, shared.</p><p>“But now I beg you, please, I have a child, he is small, he should not know anything,” continued Sedokova, who had her divorce with Timma finalized earlier this December.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kristaps Porzingis posts heartfelt message after Janis Timma’s passing

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-goes-viral-reverse-dunk-on-celtics-kristaps-porzingis');   ga('set', 'title', 'Grizzlies’ Ja Morant goes viral after reverse dunk on Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Grizzlies-news-Ja-Morant-goes-viral-after-reverse-dunk-on-Celtics-Kristaps-Porzingis.jpg"></figure><h1>Grizzlies’ Ja Morant goes viral after reverse dunk on Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-07T19:52:09-08:00">December 7th, 7:52pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-07T19:55:46-08:00">December 7th, 7:55pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Ja Morant is a liar. Just days after saying he <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-reveals-dead-serious-ditching-dunking">will not be dunking</a> anymore, the Memphis Grizzlies point guard delivered a highlight-reel play that people will be talking about at the end of the year, and maybe until the end of time.</p><p>In Saturday night’s 127-121 road win against the Boston Celtics (19-5), Morant unloaded <a href="https://x.com/ClutchPoints/status/1865587044191219871" rel="noopener">a reverse dunk</a> that fully showcased <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-comeback-game-personal-highlight-reel">his eye-popping athleticism</a>. Kristaps Porzingis was powerless to stop the 25-year-old dynamo, becoming just the latest victim to cede a jaw-dropping jam to Morant.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">OH MY GOODNESS JA MORANT 😱<a href="https://t.co/MIJdBEBXZU">pic.twitter.com/MIJdBEBXZU</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1865587044191219871?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>There is a reason this man was tapped as a candidate to be the next face of the NBA. He is must-see television, constantly coming up with new ways to make fans get up from their chair and shriek in amazement. Whether he is recording an assist from the ground or defying the laws of gravity, Morant never ceases to electrify. Perhaps more prime-time games featuring the Grizzlies will help the league with its ratings problem.</p><p>Beyond the two-time All-Star’s thunderous dunks, Memphis is conducting itself like a genuine force in the West. Taylor Jenkins’ group now owns a 16-8 record after defeating the defending NBA champions and is tied for second place in the conference. Morant put forth a magnificent outing versus the Celtics, totaling 32 points (11-of-20 shooting), nine assists and nine rebounds in TD Garden.</p><p>Pundits urged people to watch out for the Grizzlies before the regular season, a warning many fans heeded, but it is different to actually see them bouncing back from an injury-ravaged 2023-24 campaign.</p><h2><b>Ja Morant and the Grizzlies deserve their due</b></h2><p>Memphis has the talent, and seemingly the hunger, to stay in the league’s upper echelon. But Ja Morant obviously has to be on the floor for that to happen. He suffered a hip injury after going up for a dunk attempt and subsequently missed eight games. The problem is, though, it is likely unfathomable for him to alter the way he has been playing his entire career.</p><p>The reckless abandon that Morant operates with on the court is part of what makes him so exhilarating to watch. If he can find the right balance between safety and ferocity, the Grizzlies will continue to be one of the most successful and enjoyable squads in the NBA this season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Grizzlies’ Ja Morant goes viral after reverse dunk on Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/celtics-news-jayson-tatum-kristaps-porzingis-injury-updates-bucks');   ga('set', 'title', 'Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis get mixed injury updates vs. Bucks');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Celtics-news-Jayson-Tatum-Kristaps-Porzingis-get-mixed-injury-updates-vs.-Bucks.jpg"></figure><h1>Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis get mixed injury updates vs. Bucks</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-06T09:11:21-08:00">December 6th, 9:11am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-06T09:35:19-08:00">December 6th, 9:35am</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.mistretta/" rel="facebook">Joey Mistretta</a>Joey Mistretta is a Dallas Mavericks beat reporter, Dallas Wings beat reporter and lead MLB editor for ClutchPoints. He is originally from Lake Arrowhead, California. Mistretta graduated from Biola University with a degree in broadcast journalism.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Boston Celtics are set to play the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night. It projects to be a competitive Eastern Conference affair, but the Celtics received mixed injury updates before the game. According to Tim Bontemps of ESPN, Jayson Tatum is among the Celtics who was initially listed on the injury report <a href="https://x.com/TimBontemps/status/1865078960817627391" rel="noopener">who will be available</a>, while Kristaps Porzingis has been ruled out.</p><p>“The Celtics say Al Horford and Jayson Tatum will play tonight against the Bucks and that Kristaps Porzingis will not. Presumably Porzingis will play and Horford will not tomorrow night against Memphis,” Bontemps wrote on X, formerly Twitter.</p><p>Tatum was <a href="https://ak-static.cms.nba.com/referee/injury/Injury-Report_2024-12-06_11AM.pdf" rel="noopener">originally listed as questionable</a> due to “right patella tendinopathy,” per the NBA injury report. Porzingis, meanwhile,  was questionable due to “left posterior tibialis tendon injury management.” Horford is dealing with a left big toe sprain and he was questionable as well, but it appears that he will be available for the game along with Tatum.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-mvp-mondays-24-25-nikola-jokic-leads-giannis-antetokounmpo-jayson-tatum">Tatum is establishing himself as an MVP candidate</a> once again this season. He did <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-jayson-tatum-playing-pistons-injury-update">miss the Celtics’ last game</a> against the Detroit Pistons, but Boston still earned a 130-120 victory. Barring a setback, Tatum will make his return on Friday night against the Bucks.</p><p>The Celtics star is averaging 28.4 points per game on 45.4 percent field goal and 37.4 percent three-point shooting. He is also recording averages of 8.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.3 steals per outing.</p><h2><b>Celtics preparing to play Bucks on Friday night</b></h2><p>The Celtics currently hold a strong 18-4 record. Milwaukee is just 11-10 so far in the 2024-25 campaign. The Bucks will obviously still present a challenge with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way, but Boston will be the favorite at home. And with Jayson Tatum set to play, the Celtics will be in an especially quality position.</p><p>Tip-off for the Bucks-Celtics game is scheduled for 7:30 PM EST in Boston.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis get mixed injury updates vs. Bucks

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/celtics-news-jaylen-browns-hilarious-response-kristaps-porzingis-return');   ga('set', 'title', 'Jaylen Brown’s hilarious response to Kristaps Porzingis’ return');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Celtics-news-Jaylen-Browns-hilarious-response-to-Kristaps-Porzingis-return.jpg"></figure><h1>Jaylen Brown’s hilarious response to Kristaps Porzingis’ return</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-26T10:50:19-08:00">November 26th, 10:50am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-26T10:50:19-08:00">November 26th, 10:50am</time><address><a>Daniel Donabedian</a>Daniel Donabedian is a beat reporter for ClutchPoints covering the Boston Celtics. He's also covered Villanova men's basketball and Big East basketball, building a strong reputation in the northeast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>BOSTON — Boston Celtics stars Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis haven’t even played 60 games together, but that hasn’t stopped them from creating an apparent, on-court connection. That bond was on display on Monday night, as the Celtics prevailed 126-94 over the Los Angeles Clippers in <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-kristaps-porzingis-immediate-reaction-first-game-back-injury">Porzingis’ season debut</a>.</p><p>In the second quarter of <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-tie-astonishing-nba-record-with-lights-out-shooting-vs-clippers">the 32-point blowout</a>, Brown threw up a beautiful lob to Porzingis, who slammed it home to the delight of the TD Garden crowd. Despite undergoing surgery in the offseason and missing the first 17 games of the 2024-25 campaign, Porzingis finished with <a href="https://www.nba.com/game/lac-vs-bos-0022400281/box-score" rel="noopener">16 points, six rebounds, and two blocks</a> in 22 minutes.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">COOKIES &amp; CREAM 🍪🥛 <a href="https://t.co/37Bk186vDQ">pic.twitter.com/37Bk186vDQ</a></p><p>— Boston Celtics (@celtics) <a href="https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1861223183422030210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Brown, who coined the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-jaylen-brown-reveals-hilarious-nickname-kristaps-porzingis">“Cookies and Cream” nickname for his friendship with Porzingis</a>, was elated to find the Latvian big man for an alley-oop.</p><p>“As soon as I broke the line of the defense, that’s when I knew I was gonna have [Porzingis]. They weren’t gonna let me just get straight to the basket,” he recalled. “So I knew I’d have KP so I just put it up there for him and let him do the rest. But ‘Cookies and Cream’ is back! Let’s get it.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jaylen Brown is hyped to have KP back:</p><p>“Cookies and Cream is back!” <a href="https://t.co/09tyeteKRT">pic.twitter.com/09tyeteKRT</a></p><p>— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) <a href="https://twitter.com/danield1214/status/1861255348843098563?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The reigning NBA Finals MVP posted 17 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals in the win. He was the sixth Celtic to put up double figures against the shorthanded Clippers.</p><h2><b>How did Kristaps Porzingis feel in his first game back?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Jaylen-Brown-and-Kristaps-Porzingis.jpg"><figcaption>David Butler II-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Although Brown’s partner in crime hadn’t played since Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals, he kept pace with everybody else on the floor. However, that doesn’t mean he didn’t feel some rust while dunking a lob from point guard Payton Pritchard.</p><p>“The Jaylen [lob], I saw it from like a mile away. I was like, ‘Ok, boom. He’s gonna throw it for sure.’ I pointed a little bit to give him the confidence that it was there,” Porzingis described. “And then as he threw it, that wasn’t as flat as the Payton one. The Payton one was crazy. I don’t even know how I got it over the rim … But, it’s part of the process—especially first game back.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Payton Pritchard with an incredible sequence leading to a Porzingis dunk. Lordy. <a href="https://t.co/bVzSLEdlpR">pic.twitter.com/bVzSLEdlpR</a></p><p>— Efrain Ramos (@BLKRZN) <a href="https://twitter.com/BLKRZN/status/1861233420396790107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Porzingis’ vertical wasn’t as impressive the second time around, yet he still got the job done. Celtics head coach <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-joe-mazzulla-shares-honest-takeway-from-kristaps-porzingis-season-debut">Joe Mazzulla was proud of his starting center’s performance</a> and explained to the media how he makes the Green Team better in multiple areas.</p><p>“I thought he played well,” Mazzulla stated. “We were able to get back to some of our defensive versatility. Obviously, a little bit of rim protection … Offensively, [he] just really helped our spacing. It was good to get him back … To have that post presence where you can get different looks is important for us.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Joe Mazzulla’s reaction to Kristaps Porzingis’ debut tonight: <a href="https://t.co/RHpFs675et">pic.twitter.com/RHpFs675et</a></p><p>— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) <a href="https://twitter.com/danield1214/status/1861242179533906254?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Monday was the closest the Celtics have been to playing at full strength all season, even with centers Al Horford and Luke Kornet sidelined. After annihilating Los Angeles, Boston is now 15-3 overall and two games behind the first-place Cleveland Cavaliers, who won an incredible 15 games in a row to start the season.</p><p>Porzingis and company will enjoy a few days of rest before hitting the road for an NBA Cup matchup with the Chicago Bulls on Friday evening. Then on Sunday, the C’s face the league-leading Cavs in what could be an exciting battle for Eastern Conference supremacy.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Jaylen Brown’s hilarious response to Kristaps Porzingis’ return

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/celtics-news-why-paul-pierce-kevin-garnett-are-hyped-for-kristaps-porzingis-return');   ga('set', 'title', 'Why Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett are hyped for Kristaps Porzingis’ Celtics return');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Celtics-news-Why-Paul-Pierce-Kevin-Garnett-are-hyped-for-Kristaps-Porzingis-return.jpg"></figure><h1>Why Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett are hyped for Kristaps Porzingis’ Celtics return</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-26T05:30:40-08:00">November 26th, 5:30am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-26T05:30:40-08:00">November 26th, 5:30am</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As if the already-dominant Boston Celtics needed to improve their roster even further, on Monday night, they saw the earlier-than-anticipated return of Kristaps Porzingis after the 7’3″ Latvian big man underwent surgery to address his “rare” leg injury after Boston won the championship back in June. And <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-joe-mazzulla-shares-honest-takeway-from-kristaps-porzingis-season-debut">Porzingis’ impact was already apparent</a> as the Celtics made mincemeat of the Los Angeles Clippers, 126-94, in his return — with “The Unicorn” looking as though he didn’t miss any time.</p><p>It will be crucial for the Celtics to manage Porzingis’ injuries, especially when he has a history of lower-body ailments that has prevented him from suiting up for a considerable chunk of postseason games. It may not be necessary for the Celtics to have the 29-year-old center around to compete for a championship, but he’s the piece that takes them from great to nearly-unbeatable — with Paul Pierce <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1861168069009383669" rel="noopener">being very excited</a> for how impactful he will be for them moving forward.</p><p>“When he out there, they look like they head and shoulders way better than the everybody else,” Pierce said on the most recent episode of the KG Certified podcast. “If you want to beat this healthy Celtics team, you got to come with some firepower.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">“When he out there, they look like they head and shoulders way better than the everybody else.”</p><p>Paul Pierce is hyped about Kristaps Porzingis’ return 🗣️</p><p>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/allthesmokeprod?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@allthesmokeprod</a>)<a href="https://t.co/tBLGqTcjQ4">pic.twitter.com/tBLGqTcjQ4</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1861168069009383669?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Kevin Garnett echoed Pierce’s opinion and took it a step further, outlining the difficulty that opposing teams will have in containing this full-strength Celtics team now that Porzingis is back.</p><p>“Man, you got to come with more than firepower. You got to do that s**t for 48 minutes. And you better hope like hell they ain’t hitting threes. Like real s**t. Because like that’s a whole ‘nother thing,” Garnett added.</p><p>Indeed, as the Celtics showed on Monday night in their demolition of the Clippers, they better get the team’s best shot, or else, they will be laughing them off the court.</p><h2><b>Kristaps Porzingis takes Celtics’ offense to near game-breaking heights</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Celtics-center-Kristaps-Porzingis-8-reacts.jpg"></figure><p>The Celtics have made it a point over the past one and a half seasons to win the mathematical battle without a shadow of a doubt. They are <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-tie-astonishing-nba-record-with-lights-out-shooting-vs-clippers">launching three-point shots at a historic rate,</a> and they have the shooters to match this level of bravado from beyond the arc. And Kristaps Porzingis improves their already-elite spacing even further.</p><p>On Monday night, the Celtics got whatever they wanted on offense against a Clippers defense that ranked within the top-five in points allowed per 100 possessions, and Porzingis should only get better from there the more he gets used to the speed of the game the further he is from his injury.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Why Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett are hyped for Kristaps Porzingis’ Celtics return

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/celtics-news-kristaps-porzingis-immediate-reaction-first-game-back-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Kristaps Porzingis’ immediate reaction to first game back from injury');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Celtics-news-Kristaps-Porzingiss-immediate-reaction-to-first-game-back-from-injury.jpg"></figure><h1>Kristaps Porzingis’ immediate reaction to first game back from injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-25T22:09:26-08:00">November 25th, 10:09pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-25T22:12:19-08:00">November 25th, 10:12pm</time><address><a>Michael Aaron Gomez</a>Michael Aaron Gomez is a creative writer and longtime NBA fan. He has been a fan of the Lakers since the three-peat but believes LeBron James is the greatest player of all time.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Boston Celtics demolished the Los Angeles Clippers, 126-94, on Monday, as they tied the NBA record for most three-pointers by a team in a quarter, with 12. Moreover, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-kristaps-porzingis-season-debut-vs-clippers">Kristaps Porzingis made his injury return</a> after missing the Celtics’ first 17 games due to recovery from ankle surgery. His addition, along with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grading-celtics-blazers-jrue-holiday-blockbuster-trade">Jrue Holiday, via trade</a>, finally won Boston their league-best 18th title after knocking on the door for so many years.</p><p>“It was a long rehab. I was itching to <a href="https://x.com/ByJayKing/status/1861251243546481108" rel="noopener">get back out there</a> with this team after winning a championship. It was a good beginning. A good first game back,” the forward said, via Celtics reporter Jay King on X, formerly Twitter.</p><h2><b>Celtics blow out Clippers with hot shooting</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Kristaps-Porzingis-reacting-after-a-made-basket.jpg"><figcaption>© David Butler II-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>In his return from injury, Kristaps Porzingis contributed 16 points (6-12 shooting), six rebounds, and two blocks in 23 minutes as the Celtics snapped the Clippers’ five-game winning streak.</p><p>Meanwhile, this is Boston’s sixth-straight win, which includes handing the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cavaliers-news-fans-mixed-reactions-end-cavaliers-undefeated-streak-loss-celtics">Cleveland Cavaliers their first loss this season</a>, snapping their undefeated streak at 15-1.</p><p>A complete effort from the Celtics dismantled the Clippers, currently on a four-game road trip, where they hadn’t allowed opponents to score over 100 points until this game.</p><p>Six players scored in double figures for Boston, whose avalanche of threes in the second quarter may have already decided the game, as the Clippers could not mount a comeback.</p><p>They ended up scoring 51 points in the second quarter, the third-most points scored in a quarter in franchise history.</p><p>“I think <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/2024/11/25/24306084/celtics-cruise-past-clippers-126-94-in-kristaps-porzingis-return-payton-pritchard-sam-hauser" rel="noopener">our pace is incredible</a> right now,” Payton Pritchard said, who scored 20 points off the bench, via Trevor Hass of Celtics Blog. “I think this is our best game as far as our pace, getting up and down. Even after makes, we’re playing quick, and it’s allowing us to get easy catch-and-shoot 3’s. When we’re doing that, we’re the best in the business.”</p><p>After starting the second half on a 10-0 run, the Clippers cut the lead down to 19, but the Celtics stayed strong and carried a 99-78 lead heading into the final period.</p><p>With Porzingis back, the Celtics don’t need to rely heavily on the 38-year-old Al Horford as their interior presence. It also rounds out the team, with another shooter in their five-out offense and a solid disruptive shot blocker on defense.</p><h2>Who can beat this team?</h2><p>Despite the Cavaliers playing out of their mind right now, the Celtics remain the team to beat, on paper and on the court.</p><p>They have a roster full of two-way guys who can all shoot the ball, make plays, and play defense, resembling a perhaps more refined version of the prime Golden State Warriors.</p><p>It would take significant roster tweaking for any Eastern Conference contender, except probably the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-paolo-banchero-biggest-christmas-wish-amid-injury-concerns">Magic when Paolo Banchero returns</a>, to match the Celtics’ athleticism and length or overwhelm them with physicality and size.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kristaps Porzingis’ immediate reaction to first game back from injury

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/celtics-news-joe-mazzulla-shares-honest-takeway-from-kristaps-porzingis-season-debut');   ga('set', 'title', 'Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla shares honest takeway from Kristaps Porzingis’ season debut');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Celtics-news-Joe-Mazzulla-shares-honest-takeway-from-Kristaps-Porzingis-season-debut.jpg"></figure><h1>Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla shares honest takeway from Kristaps Porzingis’ season debut</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-25T19:26:35-08:00">November 25th, 7:26pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-25T19:26:35-08:00">November 25th, 7:26pm</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>In a major surprise development for the reigning champion Boston Celtics’ season, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-kristaps-porzingis-season-debut-vs-clippers">Kristaps Porzingis made his season debut</a> on Monday night as they hosted a Los Angeles Clippers team that was on the second night of a back-to-back. Back in June, Porzingis underwent surgery to repair the leg injury that bothered him in the NBA Finals, and many believed that his absence would stretch into the new calendar year. Instead, he managed to return in late November and be productive in a dominant 126-94 Celtics win, no less.</p><p>Immediately slotting into the starting lineup with Al Horford out due to illness, Porzingis put up 16 points, six rebounds, and two blocks in just 23 minutes of play — showing out of the gates how important he is to the Celtics’ title-defense bid. And head coach Joe Mazzulla could not have put more succinctly <a href="https://x.com/JackSimoneNBA/status/1861241781699973169" rel="noopener">how impactful</a> he thinks Porzingis was to their win on Monday night.</p><p>“Yeah, I thought [Porzingis] played well. We were able to get back to some of our defensive versatility… Offensively, just really helped our spacing,” Mazzulla said, per Jack Simone of Hardwood Houdini.</p><p>Porzingis’ nickname is “The Unicorn” for a reason; he helped revolutionize what teams expect/desire from a frontcourt player, as Porzingis can do it all — shoot threes at a high volume while protecting the rim like a legitimate center. The Celtics reached a new level last season thanks in large part to Porzingis’ contributions, and now, he makes them <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-jayson-tatum-drops-cheat-code-kristaps-porzingis-take-ahead-of-potential-injury-return">an even better squad</a> — a terrifying thought.</p><p>The Celtics were already dominant this season even before Porzingis returned, winning 14 of their first 17 games on the season. And until further notice, Boston stands atop the league’s totem pole — especially now that they’re getting closer to returning to full strength.</p><h2><b>Kristaps Porzingis picks up where he left off in return to Celtics lineup</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Celtics-center-Kristaps-Porzingis-8-reacts.jpg"></figure><p>If there was ever a favorable matchup for Kristaps Porzingis to make his return, it’s against a Clippers team that has a center more comfortable playing near the paint and in drop coverage. Porzingis’ best asset, aside from his rim protection, is his three-level scoring ability, and he commands so much attention on the perimeter that his mere presence opens up a ton of driving lanes for the Celtics.</p><p>It was no surprise to see the Celtics’ offense hum to the degree it did, and against one of the best defenses in the league no less, with Porzingis back from injury. They made 22 threes as a team (on 51 attempts) as they continue to win the nightly mathematical battle.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla shares honest takeway from Kristaps Porzingis’ season debut

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/celtics-news-kristaps-porzingis-close-friend-teased-imminent-injury-return');   ga('set', 'title', 'Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis’ close friend teased imminent injury return');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Celtics-news-Kristaps-Porzingis-close-friend-teases-imminent-injury-return.jpg"></figure><h1>Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis’ close friend teased imminent injury return</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-25T10:11:14-08:00">November 25th, 10:11am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-25T10:11:14-08:00">November 25th, 10:11am</time><address><a>Josue Pavon</a>Josue Pavon is an Associate Editor and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer for ClutchPoints. He started his career as a credentialed media member writing about the Boston Celtics for WEEI.com in Boston, where he grew into a local on-camera NBA reporter and podcast host for CLNS Media. Alongside the Celtics radio broadcaster and two-time NBA champion Cedric Maxwell, Josue is the co-host of the Cedric Maxwell podcast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis could make his regular-season debut, returning from injury this week. Porzingis, who Celtics All-Star <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-jayson-tatum-drops-cheat-code-kristaps-porzingis-take-ahead-of-potential-injury-return">Jayson Tatum recently called the “cheat code,”</a> has spent the past five months recovering from a rare foot injury that kept him out of most of the 2024 NBA Finals. That <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-jayson-tatum-drops-cheat-code-kristaps-porzingis-take-ahead-of-potential-injury-return" rel="noopener">day</a> could be Monday night when Boston hosts the Los Angeles Clippers at TD Garden, per Sportacentrs.com’s Kristians Dilans.</p><p>“Žanis Peiners, a close friend of Kristaps Porziņģis, revealed on Latvian sports show that KP might be set for his season debut in the upcoming days, a couple of weeks earlier than previously reported timeline,” Dilans reported. “C’s play Clippers tonight and visit Bulls on Friday.</p><p>Amid a five-game winning streak, the Celtics are 14-3 and could be on pace to extend their streak ahead of a rematch against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. With a potential boost from Porzingis, the Celtics will host the Clippers on Monday before facing the Chicago Bulls on Friday.</p><h2><b>Celtics’ Jayson Tatum drops ‘cheat code’ Kristaps Porzingis take</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Celtics-center-Kristaps-Porzingis.jpg"><figcaption>Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>After Boston Celtics center <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-kristaps-porzingis-return-date-leg-injury">Kristaps Porzingis practiced with the Maine Celtics</a>, Boston’s G League affiliate, all signs pointed toward the starting center returning from injury well before his initial timeline. The 7-foot-3 big man’s recovery anticipated a return for mid-to-late December but will be back in action well before that. Jayson Tatum can’t wait, calling Porzingis the team’s ‘cheat code.’</p><p>Tatum <a href="https://x.com/NoaDalzell/status/1860011662436430081" rel="noopener">talked</a> about Porzingis’ impact and what it means to the team.</p><p>“You seen it (what Porzingis means to the team) last year. We’re a really good team right now. We got KP, and it just makes us that much better on both ends of the floor,” Tatum said. “Our chemistry is there. It’s like having a cheat code — a 7’4 guy we can get the ball to on mismatches and watch him go to work. … He looks good. We’re all excited for when he does come back and have our full team healthy.”</p><p>The Celtics beat the Timberwolves 107-105 on Sunday. Jaylen Brown scored a team-high 29 points, including seven threes, and Tatum finished with 26 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals.</p><p>Tatum is averaging 28.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.5 steals this season for the Celtics and is excited for Porzingis’ debut. The Celtics (14-3) are second in the Eastern Conference, trailing the 17-1 Cavs. They are on the verge of Porzingis’ return, which will give them momentum ahead of Sunday’s showdown against the team with the best record in the NBA.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis’ close friend teased imminent injury return

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/celtics-news-kristaps-porzingis-season-debut-vs-clippers');   ga('set', 'title', 'Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis to make season debut vs. Clippers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Kristaps-Porzingis-to-make-season-debut-vs.-Clippers.jpg"></figure><h1>Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis to make season debut vs. Clippers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-25T09:09:21-08:00">November 25th, 9:09am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-25T09:20:36-08:00">November 25th, 9:20am</time><address><a>Brett Siegel</a>Brett Siegel joined ClutchPoints as a credentialed NBA insider and reporter in May 2023 after previously covering the NBA for Fastbreak on FanNation and NBA Analysis Network, as well as working with Louisville Basketball. From playing to coaching to covering the game as a media member, Brett has been involved with the game of basketball from many different perspectives. Breaking the news of various free agent signings, yearly NBA Draft news and other key stories around the league, Brett is always on the phone, getting the latest news and rumors around the NBA. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @BrettSiegelNBA.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Boston Celtics star big man Kristaps Porzingis has been medically cleared from his offseason leg surgery and <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1861092785173991558" rel="noopener">will make his season debut</a> on Monday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.</p><p>Porzingis suffered a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon in Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, a rare leg injury that left the 7-footer unable to really move on the court. After undergoing surgery in the offseason to repair this injury, it was initially said that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-kristaps-porzingis-return-date-leg-injury">Porzingis wouldn’t be ready to return</a> until late-December or early on in 2025.</p><p>Throughout the weeks, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-kristaps-porzingis-major-step-forward-potential-injury-return">Celtics big man had ramped up his activities pain-free</a>, leading to a belief that he was ahead of schedule in his potential return from injury. That is not the case, as the Celtics will be whole once more in hopes of defending their title from a year ago.</p><p>Without Porzingis in the lineup to begin the season, Boston has posted a 14-3 record, currently 2.5 games behind the first-place Cleveland Cavaliers. In his absence, Al Horford, Neemias Queta, Xavier Tillman Sr., and Luke Kornet have all started at least one game at the center position for the Celtics. Tillman and Kornet have been battling injuries in recent weeks, which is why it is a sigh of relief for the Celtics to get Porzingis back.</p><p>Of course, as he works his way back to the court, Porzingis will very likely face a minute restriction. After all, this will be the first time he has played in an actual game since June 17, when the Celtics defeated the Mavs 106-88 in Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals to clinch their 18th championship in team history.</p><p>In a total of 57 games last season, Porzingis averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 51.6 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent from three-point range. His first season with the Celtics was a massive success, which is why head coach Joe Mazzulla and the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-jayson-tatum-drops-cheat-code-kristaps-porzingis-take-ahead-of-potential-injury-return">entire organization are thrilled to welcome him back to the court</a> on Monday night against a gritty Clippers team that also finds themselves on a five-game win streak like Boston.</p><p>“You seen it (what Porzingis means to the team) last year. We’re a really good team right now,” Celtics star Jayson Tatum said of Porzingis recently. “We got KP and it just makes us that much better on both ends of the floor. Our chemistry is there. It’s like having a cheat code — a 7’4 guy we can get the ball to on mismatches and watch him go to work.</p><p>“We’re all excited for when he does come back and have our full team healthy.”</p><p>After Monday’s matchup with LA, the Celtics won’t play again until Friday, when they hit the road to take on the Chicago Bulls in another NBA Cup group stage game. This will give Porzingis plenty of time to rest up, receive treatment, and be ready to go before another meaningful game.</p><p>The Celtics currently <a href="https://x.com/celtics/status/1861094988437729431" rel="noopener">list Porzingis as probable</a> for Monday’s game against the Clippers.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis to make season debut vs. Clippers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/celtics-jayson-tatum-drops-cheat-code-kristaps-porzingis-take-ahead-of-potential-injury-return');   ga('set', 'title', 'Celtics’ Jayson Tatum drops ‘cheat code’ Kristaps Porzingis take ahead of injury return');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Celtics-news-Jayson-Tatum-drops-cheat-code-Kristaps-Porzingis-take-ahead-of-potential-injury-return.jpg"></figure><h1>Celtics’ Jayson Tatum drops ‘cheat code’ Kristaps Porzingis take ahead of injury return</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-22T12:31:45-08:00">November 22nd, 12:31pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-22T13:21:26-08:00">November 22nd, 1:21pm</time><address><a>Matt De Lima</a>Matt De Lima is an Associate Editor for NFL and college football at ClutchPoints. He has been covering sports for over 12 years at sites like Sports Illustrated, The Game Day, and countless others. Born and raised in California, he is a graduate of Virginia Tech and a diehard Hokies fan who now resides in southern Maryland.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Boston Celtics received great news regarding Kristaps Porzingis’s potential return earlier in the week. On Monday, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-kristaps-porzingis-major-step-forward-potential-injury-return">Porzingis practiced</a> with the Maine Celtics, the Celtics’ G League team. He is on track to get back to playing before the end of the year. Jayson Tatum is already looking forward to the Celtics having the Latvian big man back and referred to him as a “cheat code” <a href="https://x.com/NoaDalzell/status/1860011662436430081" rel="noopener">on the court</a>, per Noa Dalzell of SB Nation.</p><p>“You seen it (what Porzingis means to the team) last year. We’re a really good team right now. We got KP and it just makes us that much better on both ends of the floor. Our chemistry is there. It’s like having a cheat code — a 7’4 guy we can get the ball to on mismatches and watch him go to work. … He looks good. We’re all excited for when he does come back and have our full team healthy.”</p><p>The 12-3 Celtics are coming off a big 120-117 win over the Cavaliers, handing Cleveland their first loss of the season.</p><h2><b>Celtics riding high in back-to-back title pursuit</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Celtics-Jayson-Tatum-Kristaps-Porzingis-celebrating-vs-Nets.jpg"><figcaption>David Butler II-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Boston hasn’t missed a beat on their journey for back-to-back titles. In that stellar win against the Cavs, they shot the lights out from three-point range. The Celtics converted 22-of-47 threes against Cleveland, good for 52.7%. They made 287 threes over a 15-game span, the <a href="https://x.com/TimBontemps/status/1859062598806675589" rel="noopener">most ever</a> in NBA history, per ESPN Research Producer Matt Williams.</p><p>One of the perks of winning a title is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-jayson-tatum-drops-cool-truth-bomb-white-house-visit">visiting the White House</a>, and the Celtics did that this week during their road trip to Washington. Tatum spoke about the honor of the moment.</p><p>“One of the perks of being a champion is going to the White House. You see, most of the former teams attend, so we’ll have that moment and take pictures and videos. It’s something that’ll last a lifetime.”</p><p>Al Horford and Derrick White also talked about what it means to them to share that moment together.</p><p>“I think it’s going to be fun,” White said. “That’s something that is growing up, you see teams that won championships go to the White House and just kind of celebrate that moment together. It’s just to be one of those teams that won a championship and go to the White House and celebrate with a great team and great people.”</p><p>“That was a really cool experience getting to go to the White House (with the Florida team) to be there,” Horford said. “We had a blast. So they did the thing on the lawn outside in the courtyard. There were other college teams there as well, so it was cool to interact with some of them and do that stuff. So it’s a really neat experience. It’s an honor to be able to go to the White House.”</p><p>The Celtics play the Wizards on Friday at 7:00 p.m. EST.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Celtics’ Jayson Tatum drops ‘cheat code’ Kristaps Porzingis take ahead of injury return

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/celtics-news-kristaps-porzingis-major-step-forward-potential-injury-return');   ga('set', 'title', 'Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis takes major step forward to potential injury return');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Kristaps-Porzingis-takes-major-step-forward-to-potential-injury-return.jpg"></figure><h1>Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis takes major step forward to potential injury return</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-18T10:00:25-08:00">November 18th, 10:00am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-18T10:00:42-08:00">November 18th, 10:00am</time><address><a>Brett Siegel</a>Brett Siegel joined ClutchPoints as a credentialed NBA insider and reporter in May 2023 after previously covering the NBA for Fastbreak on FanNation and NBA Analysis Network, as well as working with Louisville Basketball. From playing to coaching to covering the game as a media member, Brett has been involved with the game of basketball from many different perspectives. Breaking the news of various free agent signings, yearly NBA Draft news and other key stories around the league, Brett is always on the phone, getting the latest news and rumors around the NBA. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @BrettSiegelNBA.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Boston Celtics All-Star big man Kristaps Porzingis, who has not played during the 2024-25 season as he recovers from offseason leg surgery, is beginning to ramp up his activities. In fact, Porzingis is <a href="https://x.com/JaredWeissNBA/status/1858562509764018505" rel="noopener">scheduled to practice</a> with the Maine Celtics in the NBA G League on Monday afternoon in order to begin his on-court work, according to Jared Weiss of The Athletic.</p><p>Porzingis suffered a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon in Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, a rare leg injury that left the 7-footer unable to really move on the court. Although he refused to sit out the entirety of the Celtics’ championship series, this was an <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-kristaps-porzingis-undergoing-surgery-nba-finals">injury that had to be addressed surgically in the offseason</a>.</p><p>Initially, the Celtics revealed that Porzingis would resume basketball activities in five to six months after undergoing offseason surgery, meaning that he would miss the start of the 2024-25 season. However, there was a sense of optimism that the Latvian center would be able to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-kristaps-porzingis-return-date-leg-injury">resume basketball activities heading into the month of December</a>, with the possibility of actually playing before the calendar flipped to 2025.</p><p>Now that he is set to participate in a G League practice, it is safe to say that Porzingis is right on schedule, possibly even ahead of schedule, with what Boston initially believed following his surgery.</p><p>Even with Porzingis practicing in some capacity, he is still a few weeks away from actually having a chance to get back on the court with the Celtics.</p><h2><b>What Kristaps Porzingis’ injury return means for Celtics</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Porzingis-warms-up.jpg"><figcaption>Nell Redmond-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The fact that Porzingis is feeling well enough to progress to light practice in the G League with the Maine Celtics is a major step in the right direction. Boston has taken their time with Porzingis as far as his return from offseason surgery has gone, and the team hasn’t been in any rush to get him back on the court.</p><p>With a December target date in mind, the stretch big man does appear to be ahead of schedule, which is good news for Boston.</p><p>Just about one month into the 2024-25 season, the Celtics find themselves at 11-3 overall, currently in second place behind only the 15-0 Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. These two teams will meet one another in a massive NBA Cup game on Tuesday night.</p><p>Once again, the Celtics are one of the best teams in the league, and their high-powered offense has paved the way to success. Once Porzingis returns to the lineup, likely in limited capacity to start, he will immediately make the Celtics’ offense even more deadly than it is already.</p><p>Last season, Porzingis averaged 20.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while shooting 37.5 percent from three-point range. Not to mention, he averaged 1.9 blocks per game and set the tone for Boston’s defense. His two-way play is what the Celtics are really lacking right now on the interior.</p><p>Even though he hasn’t played this season, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-how-kristaps-porzingis-impacting-boston-despite-injury-absence">Porzingis has still remained engaged on the sidelines</a>, almost acting as an extension of the coaching staff for his team.</p><p>“Tonight, he was very verbal,” Finals MVP Jaylen Brown said after the team’s recent win over the Nets. “He was in his coaching bag, giving guys what he was seeing out there. That’s a good sign. That’s a good signal that he’s getting close. He’s getting ready. His mind, his spirit, is out there with us. We can’t wait to welcome him back.”</p><p>While he still has work to do in his rehab process, Porzingis is certainly trending in the right direction. It won’t be long until he is back on the court and making a huge impact for the Celtics.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis takes major step forward to potential injury return

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/celtics-news-how-kristaps-porzingis-impacting-boston-despite-injury-absence');   ga('set', 'title', 'How Kristaps Porzingis is impacting Celtics despite injury absence');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/How-Kristaps-Porzingis-is-impacting-Boston-despite-injury-absence.jpg"></figure><h1>How Kristaps Porzingis is impacting Celtics despite injury absence</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-14T14:51:50-08:00">November 14th, 2:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-14T15:17:56-08:00">November 14th, 3:17pm</time><address><a>Jackson Stone</a>Jackson Stone is a Mercer University senior from Atlanta on track to graduate with a BA in communications. A lifelong sports lover, Jackson is a die-hard fan of all Atlanta teams. He joined ClutchPoints in 2023.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-jaylen-brown-jayson-tatum-accept-blame-hawks-loss">Boston Celtics took an ugly loss</a> to the Atlanta Hawks earlier this week but bounced back resoundingly Wednesday night, eviscerating the Brooklyn Nets on the road. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-jaylen-brown-challenges-unforeseen-superstar">Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both played well</a> in this one, as Boston continued their three-point avalanche to kick off the young 2024-25 season.</p><p>The Celtics now sit at 10-3 13 games into the campaign, and they’re doing so without the services of starting center Kristaps Porzingis, who is out for an extended period after undergoing surgery in the offseason.</p><p>However, that isn’t stopping the big man and former All-Star from <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/2024/11/14/24296268/kristaps-porzingis-boston-celtics-brooklyn-nets-bench-return-injury-rehab" rel="noopener">finding ways to impact winning</a> even when he is on the sidelines, per Noa Dalzell of CelticsBlog.</p><p>“Tonight, he was very verbal,” Brown said about the Nets game. “He was in his coaching bag, giving guys what he was seeing out there. That’s a good sign. That’s a good signal that he’s getting close. He’s getting ready. His mind, his spirit is out there with us. We can’t wait to welcome him back.”</p><p>Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla also reiterated the importance of staying locked in even when not in action.</p><p>“It’s important — especially for a guy that’s not playing — to be as engaged as he is,” Mazzulla said. “It makes it easier, as he starts to come back, to just plug him right in because he’s been here the whole time. That’s a commitment. It’s hard to sit there day in and day out to do that.”</p><h2><b>A scary proposition</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Porzingis-warms-up.jpg"><figcaption>Nell Redmond-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Celtics have raced out to a strong start this year without arguably their third most talented player after Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown and have shown no signs of any championship hangover from the world title they won five months ago.</p><p>Of course, in last year’s playoff run, the Celtics operated without Kristaps Porzingis in the lineup most of the time as he navigated various injuries, and Al Horford was able to hold down the frontcourt fort enough to help Boston cruise to the title.</p><p>However, there’s no denying that the Celtics are a different animal when the unicorn is on the floor, as Porzingis brings spacing that extends well beyond the three-point line, as well as rim protection that Boston doesn’t have anywhere else on the roster.</p><p>In any case, the Celtics will next take the floor on Saturday evening at home against the Toronto Raptors. That game is slated to tip off at 8:00 PM ET.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

How Kristaps Porzingis is impacting Celtics despite injury absence

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/celtics-news-kristaps-porzingis-return-date-leg-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis gets target return date from leg injury');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Kristaps-Porzingis-gets-target-return-date-from-leg-injury.jpg"></figure><h1>Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis gets target return date from leg injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-29T13:18:35-07:00">October 29th, 1:18pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-29T13:19:23-07:00">October 29th, 1:19pm</time><address><a>Daniel Donabedian</a>Daniel Donabedian is a beat reporter for ClutchPoints covering the Boston Celtics. He's also covered Villanova men's basketball and Big East basketball, building a strong reputation in the northeast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Boston Celtics are rich with talent, and the rich could be getting richer sooner than expected. Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, who <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-kristaps-porzingis-undergoing-surgery-nba-finals">underwent surgery this offseason</a> following a rare leg injury, could reportedly make his season debut in December.</p><p>On Tuesday afternoon, NBA insider Shams Charania revealed that the Latvian big man is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-kristaps-porzingis-surprise-injury-update-brad-stevens">healing ahead of schedule</a>, via The Pat McAfee Show.</p><p>“The Celtics are targeting December, from what I’m told, for Kristaps Porzingis and his return,” Charania said. “And there was video I was seeing last night of him warming up before the game. He has not progressed to contact yet, but … he looks really, really good.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">“The Celtics are targeting a December return for Kristaps Porzingis..</p><p>It could even be earlier but they don't need to rush him back at all" ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShamsCharania</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PMSLive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PMSLive</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DifferentHere?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DifferentHere</a> <a href="https://t.co/PzvSMxKDcX">pic.twitter.com/PzvSMxKDcX</a></p><p>— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/1851315177653739816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Without Porzingis, the Celtics have still dominated to start the season. They improved to 4-0 after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-joe-mazzulla-gets-100-real-about-payton-pritchard-after-bucks-takedown">beating the Milwaukee Bucks</a> on Monday night and have been able to get consistent production out of their backup centers like veteran Al Horford and 7-footer Luke Kornet. The C’s are in no rush to hurry up Porzingis’ recovery, yet they wouldn’t mind having the 2018 All-Star back in their starting lineup.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Aerial view of Kristaps Porzingis practicing pregame. Of course, he’s still out tonight <a href="https://t.co/FWn4AgtkSx">pic.twitter.com/FWn4AgtkSx</a></p><p>— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) <a href="https://twitter.com/danield1214/status/1851033208529567749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><h2><b>How healthy was Kristaps Porzingis last season?</b></h2><p>During the 2023-24 campaign, Porzingis played in 57 games and averaged 20.1 points per outing while shooting a career-high 50.1% from the field. The Celtics were extra careful with his minutes because they knew how valuable of an asset he’d be in the postseason.</p><p>When the playoffs arrived, Porzingis delivered. However, his nagging injury issues didn’t go away. In Game 4 of the first round, the former first-round pick sustained a calf strain and missed the rest of the series. He then sat for the entirety of the Eastern Conference Semifinals and the Eastern Conference Finals.</p><p>Boston rolled along without him, advancing to the 2024 NBA Finals to play one of Porzingis’ former squads, the Dallas Mavericks. In Game 1 of the Finals, the 7-footer showed his old squad what they were missing, dropping 20 points, six rebounds, and three blocks in 21 minutes en route to a 107-89 victory. Unfortunately, Porzingis suffered a completely different leg injury in Game 2, sidelining him for the next two contests of the Finals.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">WHAT. A. SEQUENCE. 😱</p><p>Porzingis deep 3.<br>Porzingis block.<br>Hauser 3.<br>Porzingis block.</p><p>Boston leads in Game 1 on ABC! <a href="https://t.co/4KdBGriOSd">pic.twitter.com/4KdBGriOSd</a></p><p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1798884791544152215?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Porzingis refused to miss Game 5, contributing five points in 16 minutes during Boston’s championship-clinching win. Shortly after in late June, he had an operation that was reportedly going to keep him off the court for five to six months.</p><p>There were even some rumblings that the Celtics’ starting center wouldn’t return until 2025, although Charania’s report seems to negate that.</p><p>“They don’t necessarily need to rush him back at all,” Charania added. “If it ends up taking until January, it takes until January. But right now, they’re targeting December.”</p><p>The Celtics have officially explained Porzingis’ absence this season by saying he’s undergoing “left posterior tibialis tendon surgery rehabilitation.” When that rehabbing exactly ends remains to be seen, but perhaps Boston receives an early Christmas present and the 2024 NBA champion stays on track to come back in December.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
19.2	6.8	1.5	1.6	0.8

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
19.2	6.8	1.5	1.6	0.8

Kristaps Porziņģis news

Kristaps
Porziņģis news