Kristaps Porzingis was showered with profane chants by a New York crowd that used to love him, but that made his Celtics debut even sweeter, writes Tim Bontemps of ESPN. Porzingis posted 30 points, eight rebounds and four blocks on Wednesday and led a late comeback as Boston showed why it’s one of the early-season favorites to capture the NBA title.
“That was awesome, I’m not going to lie,” Porzingis said. “Playing here at the Garden is always special as the home team, obviously, but also on the road here it’s really fun. At one point it got really crazy when the fans got into it and they made the comeback. But we stayed poised, we stayed calm and we were able to finish out the game.”
Porzingis displayed the versatility he brings to the offense, scoring in a variety of ways while setting a record for most points by a player in his first game with the Celtics. He hit five of the team’s 12 three-pointers on the night, was 9-of-10 from the foul line and sank a game-changing three that gave Boston the lead for good with 1:29 remaining.
“He just makes us that much more dynamic obviously with his size, ability to shoot, make plays off the dribble,” Jayson Tatum said. “Obviously, he can shoot from wherever. I mean, he’s really good. He’s really, really good. We’re lucky to have him.”
There’s more on the Celtics:
- Jrue Holiday also played his first game with the team Wednesday, and although he only had nine points, he made an immediate impact with his defense, Bontemps adds. Holiday blocked three shots in 34 minutes and contributed to a frustrating night for Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson, who shot a combined 11-of-43 from the field.
- Al Horford came off the bench against the Knicks, but coach Joe Mazzulla indicated that his starting lineups may vary, per Souichi Terada of MassLive. The Celtics have six players who are used to being starters, and Holiday said they held a meeting to discuss the situation. “Us six went together and talked about it,” he said. “And honestly, it’s about what we can do for the team. No matter who starts, no matter who finishes, we all want to win. We’re all on the same page. So when it comes down to it, winning is our only option and the only thing we really want to do.”
- It wasn’t a great night for Jaylen Brown, who was in his first game as the NBA’s highest-paid player after signing a super-max contract this summer, notes Tara Sullivan of The Boston Globe. Brown committed two horrible turnovers late in the game that helped the Knicks build a six-point lead, and Sullivan observes that he seemed to have trouble fitting into an offense that now includes Porzingis and Holiday. “It was just one game, we know how special he is,” Tatum said. “Everyone is going to have not great shooting nights, he still impacted the game in other ways. He had some key rebounds, loose balls at the end to give us more possessions. I’m not going to shoot the ball some nights, it’s all about impacting the game in other ways. JB is going to be fine, he’ll probably have a great game on Friday.”
- Although Derrick White didn’t reach an extension before Monday’s deadline, he’s hoping for a long future in Boston, tweets Jared Weiss of The Athletic.
Jaylen Brown’s night was pretty typical for Jaylen Brown. Not sure how many times he needs to do turn the ball over before people accept that as a part of his game.
He’s a good player for sure but he is not anywhere near a $300M player. He’s not the best player on his own team, nor is he a top 10 player in his own conference.
He had two turnovers and five assists and the best assist:turnover ratio of any Celtics starter. But the other stuff you said is right.
Brown has to play off ball. You don’t want him making passes or bringing up the dribble. There’s going to be growing pains as this team starts to gel. That said, I can say with confidence that last year’s team would have lost this game.
We all know Jaylen turns over the ball.
Maybe I am the only Celtic fan who saw this last night. All these moves and the Celtics failed to address the REAL problem…Joe Mazzulla.
The offense is the same. Everyone sits around and watches and then jacks up 3s. Yes, Porzingis helps open the offense but there is no movement, all one on ones, very little passing. It’s the same as last year.
Also, anybody catch Holiday’s reactions during the game. AT one point he barks at Tatum to give him the ball on offense after Tatum finally passes to him when he was open in the corner. If you read Holiday’s lips he says “Ive been open…” Meaning nobody is passing, its one on one ball again.
Joe Mazzulla is the issue, he has been the issue and will most likely keep the Celtics from winning a ring. He is not a real NBA coach, he is Ime’s replacement. I doubt he makes it the entire season with this terrible offense.
Celtics needed JT dropping big numbers and unicorn type game from KP to beat the Knicks. Boston should be very worried right about now.
JT had to drop big numbers and KP had to play big because Jrue and Brown both sucked. Jrue went 4/10 with the same number of turnovers as assists (both on bad passes). The reason you’ve “been open” is because you had a terrible game, Jrue. Sorry.
Also, they tried to move the ball, but every time it resulted in a bad pass. Tatum had three of them, Jrue had 2, Brown had 2, and Horford had 1 with two offensive fouls. Nobody could pass on the Celtics. The Knicks played better defense. They just couldn’t overcome the Celtics being a good defense AND a good offense.
You must not have seen Jrue play last night. He won the game in crunch time unlike air ball Smart’s team. Brown is the problem on this team not Jrue. He should be the 300 mil 6 man.
Not with his offense, he didn’t. He had the good cut that Tatum found him on, but otherwise didn’t contribute much on offense. His defense won the day. But Porzingis and Tatum made the offensive side of the comeback.
Maybe I should have specified bad “offensive” game for Jrue. He played great D.
I agree. He also allowed KP to play entire first quarter which I don’t get seeing as he is already injury prone.
U do realize it the first game of the season and first they all had played together that has meaning it going to take time plus it’s y we have 4.5 (White is good but nothing like the other 3)good players if someone has a bad night someone else will have a great night can’t get 30 from them all every night
The biggest problem the C’s will have is they have no bench depth I’m not sold on Sammy, PP, or Kornet as 7-8th guys hopefully I’m wrong tho
Also technically Brown isn’t the highest paid play yet his new contract hasn’t kicked in yet
Tatum’s weak, easy to read, passes are a constant killer … but did you see him rebound last night? And made threes & some superb drives.
“I doubt he makes it the entire season with this terrible offense.”
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
ok.
We all know Tatum and Brown play one-on-one way too much and we all know we’re a three point shooting team. Also I think Coach Joe made a smart move putting Payton Pritchard in the game at the end. We lost lots of games with crunch time turnovers last year. Finally, it going to be a long season if you’re not going to besmirch our coach endlessly.
Sorry, I didn’t proof read, I meant … “if you’re going to besmirch …”
Think it’s more Holiday is used to running offense. And Jason is used to having a green light. Imo Jrue has to run set plays or the offense. Jason will always get his. Jrue will make sure they get a good shot. Jason is to use to being the guy. And last night was a tight game.
Sounds just right! Well said! Let Jrue run things! Or White or Payton. But that’s easier said than done.
Don’t forget Mazzulla don’t trust the bench. Will he use the same 7-8 players in the playoffs? Playing the stars for 38mins means trouble. Porzingis can get injured if he plays 38mins every game. Van Gundy should be the coach.
Don’t watch Celtics enough to critic Mazzulla. I would think this team is a work in progress. KP showed why he can help this team. Still Knicks could have won it. Good game
It was unfortunate Jaylen couldn’t get this three ball going last night. He was tentative on his first three to start & never got going. Not having many points by the 2nd half impelled him to dribble down into the corner, get doubled and throw the ball away.
And I should give some credit to the Knicks’ defense.
Been telling you Randle is a drama Queen. Last night wasn’t his night. But he can still rebound or do other things. He sulks and doesn’t play all out. KP hit that big three. Cause Randle was sleeping. You can’t leave him open in 3 pt game. His shot was off. So his D falls off cause he’s feeling bad.
A real star has an off night. You find another way to impact gm. Not sulk and feel sorry for yourself. With no real backup to Randle. This is what happens.