The NBA champions are back to full strength. Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis made his season debut on Monday. It was his first game since Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals. Porzingis, who underwent offseason surgery, poured in 16 points (6-of-12 shooting), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal in 23 minutes in a 126-94 win over the Los Angeles Clippers — much to the delight of the home crowd in Boston.
Porzingis made the start for Boston, forming the league’s most potent starting lineup from a season ago. Derrick White and Jrue Holiday offer a defensive-minded duo who can create offensively when needed. The familiar pair of All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were at the forward spots.
Veteran big man Al Horford — who has started 14 games for the Celtics this year — did not play due to illness, but figures to be a key piece off the bench moving forward.
With Porizingis back on the floor, the Celtics looked like the team to beat once again. His ability to space the floor and protect the rim was apparent in his first game back. Porzingis shot six threes (made one), but made over 37 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc last season.
Porzingis adds an entirely new dimension to Boston’s stingy defense. If opponents can get past the Celtics’ premier perimeter defenders, they have a 7-foot-3 shot-blocking machine waiting for them in the paint.
Boston has a chance to become the first repeat NBA champions since the Warriors went back-to-back in 2017-18. The Celtics have won the most titles in NBA history, but haven’t won consecutive championships since 1968-69. With a healthy roster, this Boston team will be a tough out for any opponent in the playoffs.
