Kristaps Porzingis made a triumphant return to the court as the Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Clippers. After a smooth rehab process from a lower body injury, Porzingis was able to come back earlier than expected. Celtics president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, noted that Porzingis was ahead of schedule during the preseason, leading to his early return to the lineup. Porzingis expressed his eagerness to rejoin his teammates after winning his first NBA championship last season.
In his season debut, Porzingis scored 16 points, grabbed six rebounds, and made two blocks in 23 minutes of play. Despite feeling a bit off with his leaping ability, Porzingis had a solid performance and helped the Celtics with defensive versatility and rim protection. Porzingis credited his medical staff for helping him progress through his recovery and expressed his gratitude for being back on the court.
Moving forward, Porzingis acknowledged that getting used to the conditioning required for a full NBA game will be an adjustment. However, he felt better than expected during his first game back and is looking forward to contributing to the team’s success. Overall, Porzingis’ return was met with excitement and positivity from his teammates and coaches, setting a promising tone for the rest of the season.
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Photo credit www.boston.com
