By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Overcoming a rare injury in the left posterior tibialis tendon, Kristaps Porzingis returned to action on Monday night.
The Latvian big started for the Boston Celtics and contributed 16 points in a comfortable 126-94 win against the Los Angeles Clippers at TD Garden.
Porzingis, 29, has been dealing with serious injury setbacks for large chunks of his career. Bouncing back after spending the last five months on the sidelines, he made 6/12 field goals, including one triple, lasting 22 minutes. His stat line expanded to six rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal.
The main focus of the game, he talked about his return, after the C’s connected 22 three-pointers and improved to 15-3 in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season.
“It was a long rehab. After winning a championship, I was itching to get back out there with this team. It was a good beginning. A good first game back,” he mentioned.
A brilliant performance for Portuguese teammate Neemias Queta. The 25-year-old center was on the court for 25 minutes, piling up 12 points, nine rebounds, four blocks, three assists, and two steals.
On the wrong end of the one-sided contest, Croatian Ivica Zubac posted a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double alongside one block and one assist. French Nicolas Batum collected four rebounds and recorded one assist.
From Boston to Indianapolis, the Indiana Pacers edged out the New Orleans Pelicans, 114-110. Starting for the Pels in Gainbridge Fieldhouse, German Daniel Theis logged eight points and two assists.