[Saba Sports News] Kristaps Porzingis enjoyed an exceptional regular-season debut with the Boston Celtics, and he attributed his strong performance to the motivation he received from New York Knicks fans.
In the game against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Porzingis racked up 30 points, contributing significantly to the Celtics’ comeback victory of 108-104. Boston was trailing 101-95 with just 3:39 left on the clock, but Porzingis turned the tide with 9 crucial points in the last 2:34 of the game.
During the fourth quarter, Porzingis received a technical foul for elbowing Isaiah Hartenstein under the basket, which didn’t sit well with Knicks fans. In response, they started chanting derogatory remarks directed at Porzingis.
However, the 7-foot-3 center remained unfazed. After making a pair of free throws to tie the game at 101-101, he followed up with a 3-pointer, putting the Celtics in the lead at 104-101 with just 1:29 left to play.
Porzingis later shared with reporters that he was fully aware of the vulgar chant from the crowd. He described it as a source of motivation, finding enjoyment in the challenging environment and using it as fuel to make crucial plays towards the end of the game.
Drafted by the Knicks as the fourth overall pick in 2015, Porzingis achieved All-Star status in 2018 before facing a setback due to a torn ACL. Upon his return, disagreements with New York’s front office led to his request for a trade, and he was subsequently sent to the Dallas Mavericks in 2019. Not surprisingly, New York fans still harbor resentment towards Porzingis, viewing him as someone who abandoned the team.
If Porzingis can maintain his health, he is expected to continue making a significant impact for the Celtics. His ability to thrive in a hostile environment was undoubtedly appreciated by his new teammates.