Celtics cruise previous Clippers 126-94 in Kristaps Porzingis’ return

When the season started, the belief was that Kristaps Porzingis would return to the ground someday in December.

As Porzingis continued to make progress following ankle surgical procedure in late June, it grew to become clear that he could also be again prior to anticipated. On Monday – sure, in late November, effectively forward of schedule – the Celtics introduced that Porzingis was formally accessible.

He offered a spark in opposition to the Clippers, contributing 16 factors on 6-of-12 capturing, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks and 1 steal in 23 minutes and steering the Celtics to a 126-94 win at TD Backyard. The Celtics (15-3) have now gained six straight after snapping the Clippers’ (11-8) five-game win streak with an entire effort.

“It has been killing me inside not to have the ability to be on the market, but it surely was well worth the wait,” Porzingis informed NBC Sports activities Boston’s Abby Chin.

Payton Pritchard and Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 20 factors every, with Pritchard ending plus-30 in a stunning show. Ivica Zubac paced the Clippers with 23 factors and 10 boards.

Boston shot 51.1 % from the ground and 43.1 % from 3-point vary, connecting on 22 3-pointers and racking up 33 assists.

Porzingis wasted no time firing away, lacking a 3-pointer on the Celtics’ first possession and making a 3 on the following. He instantly made his presence felt defensively, utilizing his size to change photographs on the rim and offering an inside presence the Celtics have lacked for a lot of the season. Porzingis appeared a bit rusty at occasions, however he was his typical energetic and disruptive self nearly all of the night time.

“I did have a pair flat tires on some lobs,” Porzingis stated. “ … I believe with every sport, I’m solely going to search out my rhythm extra.”

The Celtics, taking part in with out Al Horford and Luke Kornet, used Porzingis within the excessive choose and roll early and sometimes. That organically yielded open seems to be for shooters within the corners and on the wings.

Boston used a 14-5 flurry to tug forward and took a 27-20 lead into the second. Tatum led the best way with 9 factors, 7 rebounds and a pair of assists within the quarter, and Neemias Queta added 5 boards off the bench. Each groups shot under 40 % within the quarter.

Then, with Brad Stevens on the printed within the second quarter, the Celtics resembled precisely the kind of workforce he envisioned as he constructed the roster. Stevens joked that Porzingis appeared like a man who hadn’t performed shortly, then famous that when the Celtics noticed him transfer effectively in Abu Dhabi, they’d a hunch he’d return forward of schedule.

Stevens appeared on because the Celtics tied an NBA document for 3’s in any quarter ever with 12. They began six of six, with Pritchard and Sam Hauser doing a lot of the injury.

“This man loves basketball a lot,” Stevens stated of Pritchard. “He works as arduous as anyone I’ve ever been round.”

Jaylen Brown (17 factors) then exploded for 10 factors in 73 seconds – connecting on a 4-point play, and and-one and a 3 again to again to again. Brown then discovered Porzingis for a signature “Cookies and Cream” alley-oop that despatched the group right into a frenzy.

Zubac and James Harden (19 factors, 9 assists) had been regular for the Clippers, however the Celtics had method an excessive amount of firepower for Los Angeles to deal with. Boston shot 52.9 % from the ground, 47.1 % from 3 and assisted on 18 of 27 discipline objectives within the half. The Celtics additionally out-rebounded a sometimes bodily Clippers workforce, 26-19.

Boston construct a commanding 78-49 halftime lead, erupting for 51 factors within the second quarter – the third-most factors in 1 / 4 in franchise historical past.

“I believe our tempo is unbelievable proper now,” Pritchard informed Chin at halftime. “I believe that is our greatest sport so far as our tempo, getting up and down. Even after makes, we’re taking part in fast, and it’s permitting us to get straightforward catch-and-shoot 3’s. After we’re doing that, we’re the very best within the enterprise.”

The Clippers trimmed the deficit to 84-67 halfway by way of the third, however Porzingis helped the Celtics reclaim momentum with a powerful take and end on the rim. Pritchard buried back-to-back 3’s, as Boston took a 99-78 edge into the fourth.

Derrick White (19 factors, 7 assists) splashed a 3 to increase the margin to 108-81 with 9:05 remaining. Queta threw down a thunderous slam, Jordan Walsh and White swatted photographs and Queta completed in visitors to place the ending touches on a dominant win.

The Celtics have 4 days off, then will face the Bulls on Friday and Cavaliers on Sunday on the street.