Kristaps Porzingis will come off bench for Game 1...

Shams Charania: Celtics will bring Kristaps Porzingis off the bench in Game 1 of NBA Finals vs. Mavericks – starting Al Horford at center.Source: Twitter @ShamsCharania

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Kristaps Porzingis in the NBA Finals after not playing for over a month:
20 PTS (18 in the first half)
6 REB
3 BLK
8/13 FG
W over the Mavs pic.twitter.com/f8SbwViOLQ – 1:12 AM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Mavericks vs. Celtics NBA Finals Game 1: Three takeaways, analysis, stats from Kristaps Porzingis’ big return
nbcsports.com/nba/news/maver… – 1:11 AM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Porzingis’ scorching return steals the show, while Tatum navigates massive defensive crowds to impact the game. The #Celtics are 3 wins from a championship: clnsmedia.com/kristaps-porzi… – 12:56 AM

Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Kristaps Porzingis had a major impact in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, at the Mavericks’ expense.
mavs.com/kp-returns-2/ – 12:50 AM

Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
KP set the Tone tonight in Game 1 and i also broke down why I believe that Jaylen Brown was the best player on the floor tonight. Tap in with @RealAClifton @channingfrye @Rjeff24 and Yours Truly on @RoadTrippinPod
m.youtube.com/watch?v=bFiMw6… – 12:49 AM

Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Kristaps Porzingis forgot the question before he even started to answer it 😭 pic.twitter.com/EldQmUwvrc – 12:48 AM

Brad Townsend @townbrad
This story has been updated.
Mavericks have a big problem in NBA Finals: Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 12:47 AM

Brad Townsend @townbrad
This story has been updated
Mavericks have a big problem in NBA Finals: Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 12:45 AM

Zach Kram @zachkram
Could the Celtics beat a healthy playoff opponent? Was Kristaps Porzingis ready after a long absence?
Yes, emphatically. My story off Game 1’s Boston blowout:
theringer.com/nba-finals/202… – 11:58 PM

NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
Porzingis was LOCKED IN 😤 pic.twitter.com/feTgxDkwpc – 11:58 PM

Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Jaylen Brown says Kristaps Porzingis is a big reason why they were the best team in basketball this season. – 11:45 PM

Austin Krell @NBAKrell
On Game 1 of the NBA Finals:
Kristaps Porzingis’ seamless return powered a first-quarter run that might as well have put the game to bed right then and there @TheCelticsWire
celticswire.usatoday.com/lists/three-ob… – 11:40 PM

Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Porzingis on his conversation with Mazzulla about coming off the bench tonight:
I knew he knew I was going to be fine with whatever.
I trust Joe and he trusts me. – 11:37 PM

Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Kristaps Porziņģis said he talked to Joe Mazzulla about coming off the bench.
KP: He knew I would be fine with whatever. He told me and I said let’s do it…It wasn’t a big deal and I trust Joe and he trusts me. – 11:37 PM

Malika Andrews @malika_andrews
Kristaps Porzingis: “Tonight was an affirmation to myself that I am pretty good… I can definitely add to this team.” – 11:36 PM

Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Porzingis gushes about how much “fun” he had tonight pic.twitter.com/pAXkEWbyPC – 11:35 PM

Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Kristaps Porziņģis on whether he is 100%: “Tonight was an affirmation to myself that I’m good. Maybe I’m not perfect, but I’m pretty good.” – 11:33 PM

Souichi Terada @SouichiTerada
Kristaps Porzingis on coming off the bench: “I didn’t care. … I stepped into that role and embraced it and had a good game.” – 11:32 PM

Jay King @ByJayKing
Porzingis on coming off the bench: “I didn’t care.” – 11:32 PM

Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Porzingis on coming off the bench: “This situation, it made sense. I didn’t care.” – 11:32 PM

John Karalis @John_Karalis
Porzingis on coming off the bench: from day one I said I’ll do whatever it takes to help this team win. This situation made sense. I didn’t care – 11:32 PM

Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Porzingis said a loud Celtics crowd helped him settle in for Game 1:
Getting that kind of support was unreal, the adrenaline was pumping through my veins pic.twitter.com/hWhYg9RcEQ – 11:32 PM

Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
Jason Kidd on Kristaps Porzingis: “KP was great. He knocked down shots. He changed shots…We just gotta make it a little tougher on him.” – 11:31 PM

Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Luka Doncic on what Kristaps Porzingis brought to the Celtics tonight:
He was great for them.
He was knocking down shots. He was blocking shots. So he was really, really huge for them on both ends of the floor. – 11:28 PM

Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
On Kristaps Porziņģis, Game 1’s matchup nightmare.
New on @TheAthletic nytimes.com/athletic/live-… – 11:18 PM

Ben Golliver @BenGolliver
Story: Kristaps Porzingis returns from a 38-day injury absence with a bang, powering Celtics’ blowout win over Mavericks in NBA Finals opener @washingtonpost @PostSports washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/06… – 11:17 PM

CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Celtics vs. Mavericks: NBA Finals Game 1 goes to Boston as Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis shine
cbssports.com/nba/news/celti… – 11:13 PM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Mazzulla said he understood the storyline had to be how would Porzingis look after missing that much time, but stresses that he’s been doing these things for his whole career. – 11:12 PM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Mazzulla said he can’t remember when he decided to bring Porzingis off the bench. – 11:10 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Joe Mazzulla praised Kristaps Porzingis’ performance at both ends, and said having him come off the bench just was a matter of it being the way it was decided he would best help the Celtics win:
“That’s the KP that helped us get to where we are today.” – 11:08 PM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Mazzulla said Porzingis came off the bench because it gave Boston the best chance to win. – 11:08 PM

Souichi Terada @SouichiTerada
Joe Mazzulla on Porzingis: “He was great on both ends of the floor. … I thought he played great. That’s the KP that helped us get to where we are today.” – 11:07 PM

Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Kristaps Porzingis dominated in his first game beyond the first round of his career. Here’s my feature on his journey to this point and facing his past with the Mavs to try to win a title. nytimes.com/athletic/55344… – 11:05 PM

Tom Haberstroh @tomhaberstroh
JUST POSTED: 5 quick takeaways after Game 1 including Kristaps Porzingis brilliance and a source of hope for Dallas: tomthefinder.com/p/5-quick-thou… – 11:04 PM

Joe Vardon @joevardon
For most of the NBA’s regular season, there was no doubt the Boston Celtics were the best, deepest team. The same could be said for Game 1 of the Finals, especially with Kristaps Porziņģis back on the court, nytimes.com/athletic/55476…
@TheAthleticNBA – 11:01 PM

Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
New: Kristaps Porzingis and Jaylen Brown lead the way for Celtics in a convincing Game 1 win over the Mavericks masslive.com/celtics/2024/0… – 10:58 PM

Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
Hello! In like five minutes, will be going live with @MotorCityHoops to talk about
-Celtics Game 1 win with some Porzingis tape
-Danny Hurley to the Lakers?????
-A couple of draft things including Nikola Topic
youtube.com/live/7Z_9Nobgy… – 10:55 PM

Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics take Game 1 over the #Mavericks 107-89, lead for the final 42:19. Brown 22, Porzingis 20, Tatum 16, White 15, Holiday 12, Horford 10; Doncic 30 (1 assist), Washington 14, Hardy 13, Irving 12. – 10:52 PM

NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
Porzingis did it all for the Celtics in his return back 🔥
#NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/Ex1ujfyca1 – 10:52 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Final: Celtics 107, Mavericks 89
Kristaps Porzingis returns to score 20 points in his first game in more than five weeks, as the Celtics take Game 1.
Luka Doncic had 30 and 10 for Dallas, but had just one assist, while Dallas had 8 as a team and Kyrie Irving struggled. – 10:52 PM

Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
The Celtics lead the NBA Finals 1-0 as Kristaps Porziņģis dominates his finals debut. Boston got everything it wanted out of the gameplan, from limiting Luka Dončić to 1 single assist to keeping Dallas’ supporting cast from hitting any 3s. Everyone not named Luka combined for 3… – 10:51 PM

Souichi Terada @SouichiTerada
Celtics smash the Mavericks 107-89 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Massive game from the besties Brown and Porzingis. C’s lead the series 1-0 and are 3 games away from a championship. Game 2 is Sunday at the Garden. – 10:51 PM

Dave McMenamin @mcten
The Celtics take Game 1 of the NBA Finals, 107-89, over the Mavericks. Kristaps Porzingis, after a 38-day layoff because of a calf strain, came off the bench for just the second time of his career and delivered 20 points on 8-for-13 shooting, 6 reb and 3 blk to seize the moment. – 10:51 PM

Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. playing in the NBA Finals. Vindication for the Steve Mills Knicks era. – 10:46 PM

StatMuse @statmuse
Porzingis in his first game in 38 days:
20 PTS
6 REB
3 BLK
8-13 FG
In 20 minutes. pic.twitter.com/QZRBqRvPew – 10:44 PM

Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
Mavericks have pulverized teams with lobs all postseason and are finding little at the rim tonight against the Celtics, with Porzingis leading the way. Such a deterrent. – 10:28 PM

Peter Vecsey @PeterVecsey1
KP is making it look like he should’ve hurt his calf much earlier in his career… – 10:27 PM

John Karalis @John_Karalis
Gafford’s two free throws stopped a 14-0 Celtics run. They again lead by 20 heading into the fourth quarter. Porzingis is on the floor to start the fourth. – 10:23 PM

Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
End of the 3rd quarter: Celtics 86, Mavs 66.
Doncic: 27 pts, 10 rebs, 2 stls
Irving: 12 pts, 2 asts, 2 stls (6-19 FG; 0-5 3PT; 3 TOs)
Washington: 10 pts, 7 rebs
Kristaps Porzingis: 20 pts, 4 rebs, 2 blks
Jaylen Brown: 19 pts, 5 rebs
Jayson Tatum: 13 pts, 8 rebs, 5 asts – 10:23 PM

Justin Verrier @JustinVerrier
This has all of the benchmarks of a full-strength Celtics performance: Kristaps takes center stage early, Tatum makes the in-between plays, they fall flat on their face for reasons that no one can explain, and Brown wrestles away control by force. – 10:23 PM

Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics lead #Mavericks 86-66 after 3Q. Porzingis 20, Brown 19, Tatum 13, White 13, Horford 8, Holiday 7; Doncic 27, Irving 12, Washington 10.
3pt
BOS: 15-39; DAL: 5-21. – 10:22 PM

A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Dallas cuts the C’s lead to single digits, but Boston goes on a 14-2 run to lead 86-66 going into the 4Q. JB has 19 pts, 5 reb. Porzingis has 20 pts off the bench. Luka leads everyone with 27 pts. pic.twitter.com/jKHAjnkRVw – 10:21 PM

John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Thought we’d see Porzingis in after that timeout but no, not yet. – 10:00 PM

Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Kristaps Porzingis in the first half of Game 1:
🟢 13 minutes
🟢 7-of-9 from the field
🟢 18 points
It’s his first game in over a month 😱 pic.twitter.com/BMJgaU4or3 – 9:44 PM

Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
We’ve seen this movie before from the Mavs, both in these playoffs in G1, and in both games vs BOS. Fell behind by as many as 29, trail 63-42. Celtics with an onslaught of 3ptrs (11-27). Porzingis w/18 ptd coming off bench. Luka w/17 to lead Mavs. 2nd half soon @theeagledallas – 9:41 PM

Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Mavericks are in deep trouble in Game 1. Down 63-42 at halftime. Porzingis had one of his best halves ever with 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting. It’s going to be a tough mountain to traverse in the second half for the Mavericks. – 9:36 PM

Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
The Kyrie Irving trade is one of the greatest trades of all time, but what about the Celtics getting Kristaps Porzingis and two first-round picks* for Marcus Smart?
(I blame the Wizards.)
*that were later used to acquire Jrue Holiday pic.twitter.com/jr34bfJduo – 9:36 PM

A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
The beatdown continues for the Celtics who lead 63-42 at the half. Porzingis has 18 off the bench, with Jaylen Brown chipping in with 13. Luke has 17 to lead the Mavs. pic.twitter.com/BTHDYASsxw – 9:35 PM

Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
PORZINGIS DOMINATING #NBAFinals
pic.twitter.com/XFOIYzlkow – 9:35 PM

Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Mavericks end 2Q on a 7-0 run, cut #Celtics lead to 63-42 at halftime. BOS goes scoreless in final 1:48 of 2Q. Porzingis 18, Brown 13, Tatum 8, White 8; Doncic 17, Irving 6, Washington 6. – 9:35 PM

Dan Favale @danfavale
kristaps has the smirk of a supervillain pic.twitter.com/SvrseoUBHQ – 9:35 PM

Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
Halftime: #Celtics 63, #Mavs 42.
Doncic: 17 pts, 3 rebs
Washington: 6 pts, 5 rebs
Irving: 6 pts, 2 rebs, 2 stls
Kristaps Porzingis: 18 pts, 3 rebs, 3 blks (7-9 FG; 2-3 3PT; 2-2 FT) – 9:35 PM

Jay King @ByJayKing
Bad end to the first half after an otherwise nearly perfect 24 minutes for the Celtics. Porzingis has been fantastic. The offense has been crisp. The Mavericks haven’t gotten much easy at all. – 9:35 PM

Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I picked the Mavs in this series because I was worried about Porzingis and… not looking great! – 9:35 PM

Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Celtics lead 63-42 at the half after a dominant high post run from Kristaps Porzingis, who had a game-high 18 points. Mavs have fought him on the catch as hard as they can and he is still burying every look he gets and has dominated protecting the rim. – 9:34 PM

Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
21-point halftime lead for the Celtics
Boston leads 63-42 thanks to 18 points off the bench from Kristaps Porzingis – 9:34 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Halftime: Celtics 63, Mavericks 42
Luka Doncic has 17 points, including five quick ones to end the half, for Dallas, but Boston finds itself in control after a dominant first half from Kristaps Porzingis (18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks) and 11-for-27 3-point shooting. – 9:34 PM

Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_
Come hang out with us at @NBCSBoston for a halftime where just rave about Kristaps Porzingis for 10 minutes. – 9:30 PM

Neil Dalal @NeilDalal96
Glad to see Kristaps Porzingis remembered I told him to go get a ring in October 😂 – 9:29 PM

Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Porzingis checking in. #Celtics #Mavericks #NBAFinals – 9:29 PM

Tom Haberstroh @tomhaberstroh
Mavs on a massive 4-0 run. The Celtics need Kristaps Porzingis to play the rest of the way – 9:27 PM

Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Porzingis:
15 points on 8 FG attempts
Luka and Kyrie combined:
14 points on 18 FG attempts – 9:23 PM

David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
(oops, wrong link before):
ICYMI: Spoke and wrote this am about how both Kristaps Porzingis and Daniel Gafford used their recent stays in Washington with the Wizards to hone their games and get rid of what no longer worked, in
@TheAthletic: nytimes.com/athletic/55438… – 9:22 PM

Matt George @MattGeorgeSAC
People said the Celtics had an easy road to the Finals with Porzingis injured. Imagine if he played… – 9:20 PM

Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoop
Was talking with Porzingis prior to the game. Told him I saw a guy at the gym today wearing a replica of his Knicks jersey. We had a laugh trying to decide if he was a fan — or if that was his last clean tank top.
Turns out the guy was a psychic. – 9:19 PM

Tom Haberstroh @tomhaberstroh
POINTS IN THE NBA FINALS
Luka Doncic + Kyrie Irving ……………… 14
Kristaps Porzingis + Luke Kornet* …. 15
*has not played – 9:19 PM

David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
ICYMI: Spoke and wrote this am about how both Kristaps Porzingis and Daniel Gafford used their recent stays in Washington with the Wizards to hone their games and get rid of what no longer worked, in @TheAthletic: nytimes.com/athletic/55385… – 9:18 PM

John Karalis @John_Karalis
Zdeno Chara is tonight’s hero among us. There’s no truth to the rumor that he was brought here as insurance in case Porzingis wasn’t ready to play – 9:18 PM

Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_
Only guy that can fit in a Porzingis jersey. pic.twitter.com/D2KbT9DX1B – 9:18 PM

John Karalis @John_Karalis
Porzingis changes so much. It’s a wonder that his absence wasn’t discussed more. He’s up to 15 points. Boston’s lead is now 21 – 9:17 PM

Souichi Terada @SouichiTerada
Porzingis with a big smile after hitting that shot to put the Celtics up 21. that jumper refuses to miss right now – 9:17 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Kristaps Porzingis has 15 points.
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have 14 points. – 9:17 PM

Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
One of the big questions about Porzingis in a Finals environment was how he would handle increased physicality posting up the nail, even against smalls. Dallas has been dislodging him off the spot aggressively and he is still catching, turning, and burying consistently. This is – 9:17 PM

Chris Herring @Herring_NBA
RT @Herring_NBA: Porzingis looking fantastic so far – 9:17 PM

Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
Good god the Porzingis first quarter. That was unbelievable. – 9:16 PM

Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Porzingis has 15 points in 10 minutes on 6-for-8 shooting
Celtics lead 48-27 – 9:16 PM

Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Porzingis is eating, and eating more. He’s got 15 pts in 10 minutes. BOS 48, DAL 27. #Celtics #Mavericks #NBAFinals – 9:16 PM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
This is the dude who put up 1.30 PPP on post-ups this year. This Kristaps Porzingis will make this a quick series. – 9:16 PM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Was Porzingis really injured, or were the Celtics sandbagging the league? – 9:16 PM

Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
The Mavericks officially have a Kristaps Porzingis problem. – 9:16 PM

Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
Derrick Jones Jr. was all over that shot by Porzingis, but it didn’t matter. – 9:15 PM

Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Porzingis is called for his drop being in Lively’s way when he goes up for the early lob. Gonna be interesting to see how they officiate that if Porzingis is just defending the ball and Lively jumps over him from behind, which is probably gonna happen often in this series. – 9:14 PM

Brad Townsend @townbrad
Porzingis was headed out the tunnel, perhaps for a restroom break, when teammates frantically called him back onto the court. Let’s see if he can, you know, hold it while he’s out there. – 9:12 PM

Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Most points by a reserve in the first quarter of a Finals game (play-by-play era)
Kristaps Porzingis tonight: 11
James Harden in 2012 Game 2: 10
Jason Terry in 2011 Game 6: 9
Jerry Stackhouse in 2006 Game 4: 9 – 9:11 PM

Stephen Noh @StephNoh
Kristaps Porzingis was everywhere in that first quarter. Crazy two-way play. C’s looked like a totally different team from what we’ve seen in these playoffs. pic.twitter.com/UCpnJvjuSz – 9:10 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
The Porzingis AND Hauser Game? Call it. – 9:10 PM

Mike Lynch @SportInfo247
Porzingis is the first player with 3 blocks off the bench in the first quarter of an NBA Finals game since Dikembe Mutombo for the 2003 Nets (against the Spurs) – 9:08 PM

Tom Petrini @RealTomPetrini
Celtics are good enough to be alright without Porzingis and he looks like the best player on the court (outside of Sam Hauser) – 9:08 PM

Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
Kristaps Porzingis, wow. This is the unicorn that was promised. – 9:08 PM

Tim Cato @tim_cato
felt like the Mavericks had a first quarter game plan that did not plan for Kristaps Porzingis to look like … that – 9:07 PM

Brad Townsend @townbrad
Mavs got buried under a Porzingis-led avalanche: In 7 first-quarter minutes, ex-Maverick Porzingis had 11 points, 3 blocks and 3 rebounds.
And a team-best plus-16.
Boston 37, Dallas 20. Celtics finished first quarter with 9-0 run. – 9:06 PM

Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
So that was probably one of the best all around quarters of Porzingis’ season. Quite the return. – 9:06 PM

Chris Palmer @ChrisPalmerNBA
Porzingis! Man I’m speechless. – 9:06 PM

Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Welcome back Celtics forward Kristaps Porzingis who has 11 points on 4 of 5 shooting, three rebounds and three blocks in seven minutes off the bench through one quarter. Mavs down 37-20. pic.twitter.com/rrs02LECIs – 9:06 PM

StatMuse @statmuse
Kristaps in the 1st quarter:
11 PTS
3 REB
3 BLK
+16
He’s back. pic.twitter.com/ejfQEElKC7 – 9:05 PM

Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
End of the 1st quarter: #Celtics 37, #Mavs 20.
Doncic: 7 pts, 3 rebs, 1 ast
Irving: 4 pts, 1 stl
Jones: 3 pts, 1 reb
Kristaps Porzingis: 11 pts, 3 rebs, 3 blks (4-5 FG; 1-2 3PT; 2-2 FT) – 9:05 PM

Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
ah I see the “first two weeks of the 2017-18 season” version of Kristaps Porzingis came out to play tonight lol – 9:05 PM

Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
Dominant 30-second stretch by the Celtics:
-Kristaps Porzingis above the break 3
-Porzingis blocks Kyrie Irving
-Sam Hauser corner 3
The Porzingis Effect! pic.twitter.com/M0SegUnOzp – 9:05 PM

Rosalyn Gold-Onwude @ROSGO21
My goodness what a return for Porzingis!! Welcome to the #NBAFinals sir 👏🏽 – 9:05 PM

A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Dominant 1Q for the Celtics who lead the Mavs, 37-20. Porzingis returns with a vengeance, w/11 points off the bench. Horford 6 pts, D. White and Holiday 5 each. Luka/Kyrie have 11 of Dallas’ points. pic.twitter.com/0AdcuF6fOs – 9:05 PM

Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
Celtics were up 1 when Porzingis checked in. He played 7 minutes, dominated in every way, and now the Celtics are up 17. – 9:05 PM

Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Such an impactful first quarter by Porzingis in his return from injury. He improves the Celtics significantly when healthy + available. On both ends. – 9:05 PM

Steve Popper @StevePopper
Porzingis seems fine. That’s my NBA Finals assessment. – 9:04 PM

Yaron Weitzman @YaronWeitzman
Ok sure recency bias whatever I’m pretty sure Kristaps Porzingis just had the best quarter anyone’s had in the history of basketball – 9:04 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Well, it looks like Kristaps Porzingis is fine lol – 9:04 PM

Tony Mejia @MejiaDinero
Kristaps Porzingis looks healthy. – 9:04 PM

Rick Noland @RickNoland
Porzingis doing it all – 9:04 PM

Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Live shot of Kristaps Porzingis after that first quarter pic.twitter.com/2GTFi3x9CZ – 9:04 PM

Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
It’s Kristaps Porzingis’ world right now, he scores 11 pts with 3 reb and 3 blk in seven minutes as #Celtics lead #Mavericks 37-20 after 1Q. DAL missed 12 of its final 15 FGs in 1Q. – 9:04 PM

Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Porzingis is just lining up these Mavericks wing players. On screens he’s all but daring them to drive. Picks up a second block at the end of the end of the quarter. Just a menace defensively. – 9:04 PM

Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Kristaps Porzingis SIZZLING in the first quarter #NBAFinals
pic.twitter.com/vQU14YvEGI – 9:04 PM

Brian Geltzeiler @BGeltzNBA
I heard far too many people who should know better say this week that Porzingis isn’t a rim protector. Maybe we can retire that criticism? – 9:04 PM

Chris Dempsey @chrisadempsey
Right off tthe top you already know if Kristaps Porzingis is able to play significant minutes the entire series, it’s a matchup Dallas can’t counteract. Blocks and shot alterations on defense. Mismatches no matter who is guarding him when he’s on offense. Unreal. – 9:04 PM

Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Kristaps Porzingis decided to save the best game of his life for the biggest game of his career. He checked in and completely blew this game open. He looks 110%.
11 points, 3 boards, 3 blocks in 7 minutes. Just perfection in his Finals debut. – 9:04 PM

Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Three consecutive triples (Tatum, Porzingis, Pritchard) and the Celtics slither away to a 37-20 lead at the end of the first. The Mavericks were playing well, but then couldn’t get shots to fall. And Porzingis had a couple of blocks. – 9:04 PM

Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Porzingis. Lol. – 9:04 PM

Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
That might have been the best quarter of Kristaps Porzingis’ career. Scored 11 points in 7 minutes and made a bigger impact as a rim protector on the other end. – 9:04 PM

Chris Vernon @ChrisVernonShow
PORZINGIS has been unbelievable! Wow – 9:04 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
After 1: Celtics 37, Mavericks 20
Boston took 15 of their 23 shots from 3, and made 7 of them, but the story of that quarter was Kristaps Porzingis.
He played the final seven minutes off the bench and had 11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 blocks, was +16 and absolutely dominant. – 9:04 PM

Zach Kram @zachkram
Kristaps Porzingis in his first playing time in 38 days:
7 minutes
11 points on 4-5 shooting
3 blocks – 9:04 PM

Carl Steward @stewardsfolly
Kristaps Gamechanger. My goodness. – 9:03 PM

Erik Slater @erikslater_
Porzingis is levitating above everyone else on the court right now… This is insane. – 9:03 PM

Souichi Terada @SouichiTerada
that was a near-perfect 1st quarter from Porzingis. gotta be doing wonders for his confidence in his first-ever Finals game – 9:03 PM

Yaron Weitzman @YaronWeitzman
Janis Porzingis was right all along – 9:03 PM

Dave McMenamin @mcten
Kristaps Porzingis: 11 pts on 4-for-5 shooting
Luka Doncic + Kyrie Irving: 11 pts on 5-for-12 shooting
The Celtics lead 37-20 after 1Q – 9:03 PM

Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
Porzingis has been fantastic.
Celtics 37, Dallas 20
First quarter done. – 9:03 PM

Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
Ladies and gentlemen, Kristaps Porzingis looks healthy. – 9:03 PM

Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
If Porzingis plays like this and Hauser is clamping Luka and Kyrie it’s going to be a short series lol – 9:03 PM

Kenny Beecham @KOT4Q
Porzingis for the last month pic.twitter.com/psVFvoYfC6 – 9:03 PM

Jay King @ByJayKing
Porzingis has been dominant so far. Both ends. – 9:02 PM

Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Holy SMOKES what a return for Porzingis – 9:02 PM

Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Porzingis is a big reason for the Celtics’ early lead but I also think the Mavericks were playing with fire as soon as they decided to wear a city edition jersey in Game 1 of the NBA FINALS. – 9:02 PM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
After throwing so much pressure at him all game the Mavs give up a Gafford switch onto Tatum in isolation. He and Porzingis bury consecutive 3s over the C. – 9:02 PM

Ben Rohrbach @brohrbach
I don’t know if you guys have heard of a guy named Kristaps Porzingis. Apparently he’s on the Celtics, and he’s 7-foot-3. He keeps shooting over people smaller than him, and it’s working. – 9:01 PM

NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
PORZINGIS TURNING UP IN THE 1ST 🔥 pic.twitter.com/yYk6kEAnr0 – 9:00 PM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Pritchard-Hauser-Holiday-Tatum-Porzingis. The playoffs are no different than the regular season. – 9:00 PM

Tom Westerholm @Tom_NBA
The Celtics, in what should come as zero surprise, look a little different with Porzingis back. – 9:00 PM

Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoop
Porzingis with eight points in his first five minutes. Boston leads, 28-18, with 2:20 left in 1st Q. pic.twitter.com/bn0SFxPGvq – 9:00 PM

Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
About as good a start as you can hope for with Kristaps Porzingis: Eight points, two rebounds, a block and several contests at the rim. Picking up right where he left off before the injury. – 8:59 PM

Fred Katz @FredKatz
Porzingis is the key that opens up everything for Boston. He’s shooting over smalls. Put a center on him and he’ll remove your best line of rim defense from down low. Just a nightmare matchup. – 8:59 PM

Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
The Kristaps Porzingis Effect: Alters a shot at the rim on defense, scores over a smaller opponent on offense. pic.twitter.com/iMuH2HEJD9 – 8:59 PM

Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Porzingis with the HUGE slam pic.twitter.com/3nfYSpVkZq – 8:59 PM

Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
As one #Cavs player said after an Eastern Conference semifinal game in Boston, Kristaps Porzingis makes the Celtics a cheat code. – 8:59 PM

Souichi Terada @SouichiTerada
23-9 Celtics run. Garden is rocking. Porzingis has been everywhere – 8:58 PM

Carl Steward @stewardsfolly
Porzingis playing like the guy Phil Jackson imagined. – 8:58 PM

Brian Geltzeiler @BGeltzNBA
Textbook reverse pivot by Porzingis off that elbow catch. And he’s deadly from 15 feet. So hard to guard there – 8:58 PM

Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
There is European destroying early in Game 1. Didn’t expect it to be Porzingis. – 8:58 PM

Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
So anyway, Kristaps Porzingis – 8:58 PM

Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Eight consecutive points from Porzingis, including a driving dunk, and the crowd is going nuts. BOS 28, DAL 18. #Celtics #Mavericks #NBAFinals – 8:58 PM

Matt George @MattGeorgeSAC
Ok Porzingis! – 8:58 PM

Erik Slater @erikslater_
Ok, then… Mr. Porzingis. – 8:58 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Kristaps Porzingis making an impact on both ends. Massive difference-maker in this series with him playing like this – 8:58 PM

Chris Herring @Herring_NBA
Porzingis looking fantastic so far – 8:58 PM

Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Porzingis completes this Celtics team. He’s been dominant in 5 minutes of play. Size, length, shooting – 8:57 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Kristaps Porzingis immediately has made a big impact.
Five minutes in and he’s got 8 points, including a drive past Dereck Lively for a dunk and a jumper to force a Jason Kidd timeout.
Celtics up 28-18 with 2:20 to go in the first. – 8:57 PM

Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Series is over, Porzingis has won MVP, we move on to the Cup. – 8:57 PM

Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Porzingis leads all scorers with 8 points off the bench
Celtics lead 28-18 with 2:20 to go in the first – 8:57 PM

Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
Kristaps Porzingis is playing like he sees food on every matchup. He has 8 points and 2 rebounds. He’s taking advantage of every smaller defender. – 8:57 PM

John Karalis @John_Karalis
Porzingis drive and dunk on Lively, then he comes down and blocks a shot, then he hits the turn around jumper. I’d say his calf is just fine. C’s up 10. – 8:57 PM

Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
So, Porzingis seems to be OK. – 8:57 PM

Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Not much rust on Kristaps Porzingis’ jump shot. – 8:57 PM

Souichi Terada @SouichiTerada
Porzingis is not playing like a dude who was a little timid in his interviews the past few days. What a start and immediate impact for him – 8:57 PM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Porzingis is killing everyone on Dallas. Welcome back. – 8:57 PM

Kevin Chouinard @KLChouinard
Boston having Kristaps guard DJJ to good effect. – 8:56 PM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Porzingis looked good there. – 8:56 PM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Lively left Porzingis alone to show Tatum extra pressure. Porzingis missed the 3 after. Tatum has 0 shots. – 8:55 PM

Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Porzingis is doing a good job of being 7’3″ so far. – 8:54 PM

Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
I don’t think Jaden Hardy can guard Kristaps Porzingis – 8:54 PM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
C’s switch Porzingis onto Doncic and give up a 3. – 8:53 PM

Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Big ovation for Kristaps Porzingis in his first game back 👏 pic.twitter.com/uCnenhbopJ – 8:52 PM

Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
A one-on-one matchup between Porzingis and Luka results in Doncic’s first foul. He laughs it off. He played good defense, but made contact at the last moment. – 8:52 PM

Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Porzingis is moving gingerly but he just drew a shooting foul on Doncic. #Celtics #Mavericks #NBAFinals – 8:52 PM

Souichi Terada @SouichiTerada
could feel the anticipation building here when Porzingis posted up Doncic – 8:52 PM

Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Kristaps Porzingis postseason career
– First 3 games of bubble (meniscus)
– 7 games of Mavericks-Clippers
– First 4 games of 2024 Heat-Celtics (right calf)
– Whatever happens in 2024 NBA Finals – 8:52 PM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Porzingis, like he did last time these teams played in March, hits Doncic with an early foul in isolation. Big gasp from the crowd. It was his first look. – 8:52 PM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Porzingis enters and guards Jones. pic.twitter.com/3tT81ZL6yP – 8:46 PM

Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_
Standing ovation for KP pic.twitter.com/w9VdRmHe6o – 8:46 PM

Brad Townsend @townbrad
Lively and Porzingis checking in. – 8:45 PM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
With Porzingis off the floor, it won’t be as much of the case, but it’s going to say a lot about how these two guard each other over the first 3-4 possessions. – 8:38 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
An absolutely electric atmosphere here inside TD Garden in the moments before Game 1 tips off between the Celtics and Mavericks. When Kristaps Porzingis came out to the court a few minutes before tip during warmups, he received a gigantic ovation.
Should be an incredible series. – 8:38 PM

Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Porzingis off the bench also means Dereck Lively II has to deal with him
Primary backup bigs for Lively by series this postseason:
– Mason Plumlee
– Jaylin Williams
– Naz Reid
– Kristaps Porzingis – 8:28 PM

Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Joe Mazzulla says no minutes limit for Porzingis in his return 😤 pic.twitter.com/EE0PiBrizk – 8:25 PM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Porzingis off the bench is surprising with no minutes limit. Let’s see how he looks. – 8:24 PM

Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Absolutely epic return to the floor for Kristaps Porzingis pic.twitter.com/eBZFoFksq7 – 8:23 PM

Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_
Building went nuts when Kristaps Porzingis walked out. The tail end. pic.twitter.com/PLwlmP48nu – 8:20 PM

Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Porzingis off the bench for Game 1 is now official for the Celtics. That will take a little pressure off. – 8:12 PM

Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Kristaps Porzingis will come off the bench for the Celtics in Game 1, per @ShamsCharania.
Al Horford will start at center. pic.twitter.com/wecmOp33RB – 8:08 PM

Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Kristaps Porzingis will come off the bench for Boston tonight. – 8:04 PM

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Celtics will bring Kristaps Porzingis off the bench in Game 1 of NBA Finals vs. Mavericks – starting Al Horford at center. – 8:03 PM

Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Mavericks at Celtics – TD Garden – June 6, 2024 – NBA Finals Game 1 Starters
Boston – Holiday, White, Brown, Tatum, Porzingis
Dallas – Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford
OUT – Boston: None Dallas: None pic.twitter.com/EFREjoTJzK – 8:02 PM

Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
Mavs starters: Jones, Washington, Gafford, Irving, Doncic
BOS starters: Brown, Tatum, Porzingis, White, Holiday
7:37 tip 97.1 @theeagledallas – 8:01 PM

Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Porzingis is BACK on the parquet pic.twitter.com/8gLq6Tdzo9 – 7:33 PM

Ben Rohrbach @brohrbach
Joe Mazzulla would not reveal if Kristaps Porzingis is on a minutes restriction. We will find out during the game, I guess. – 6:50 PM

Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoop
Mazzulla says no minutes restriction for Porzingis, but hasn’t decided yet if he will start.*
*He almost surely HAS decided. – 6:47 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said Kristaps Porzingis, who wasn’t on the injury report, won’t be on a minutes limit tonight in Game 1. – 6:47 PM

Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
No minutes restriction for Kristaps Porziņģis, per Joe Mazzulla. No comment on whether he’ll start. – 6:47 PM

Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
No minutes restriction for Kristaps Porzingis, according to Joe Mazzulla. #Celtics #Mavericks #NBAFinals – 6:47 PM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
No min restriction for KP. Starting lineup TBD. – 6:46 PM

Souichi Terada @SouichiTerada
Kristaps Porzingis won’t be on a minutes restriction tonight, per Joe Mazzulla. – 6:46 PM

Jay King @ByJayKing
Joe Mazzulla said Kristaps Porzingis is not on a minutes restriction. Mazzulla did not commit one way or another to whether Porzingis will start. – 6:46 PM

Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
No minutes restriction for Porzingis, per Mazzulla pic.twitter.com/VgXWG5iskb – 6:45 PM

Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Porzingis is so pumped to be back pic.twitter.com/yAvSCcDHR8 – 6:43 PM

Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Fresh Kristaps Porzingis in Boston #NBAFinals
pic.twitter.com/HHguckK0oL – 6:24 PM

David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
PMers: We know one thing for certain about these NBA Finals: once again, a former Wizards player will come away with a ring. This year, it’s Boston’s Kristaps Porziņģis or the Mavs’ Daniel Gafford. What each learned from his time in D.C., in @TheAthletic:
nytimes.com/athletic/55438… – 6:00 PM

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
With #Celtics‘ Kristaps Porzingis playing in the NBA Finals after nursing a right calf injury, various medical experts spoke to @Sportskeeda on their expectations, whether this mirrors Kevin Durant’s return in 2019 Finals & more bit.ly/4caJ4zw – 2:37 PM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Does Kristaps Porzingis Look READY for Game 1 of NBA Finals? youtu.be/nwVrtmcmoGU?si… – 1:39 PM

Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
What can we expect from Kristaps Porzingis in Game 1? How will Joe Mazzulla manage Porzingis during the series? Broke down what to watch for with @SouichiTerada here: youtu.be/dnfG2wx-nOU?si… – 1:31 PM

David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
We know one thing for sure about these NBA Finals: once again, a former Wizards player will come away with a ring. This year, it’s Boston’s Kristaps Porziņģis or the Mavs’ Daniel Gafford. What each learned from his time in D.C., in @TheAthletic:
nytimes.com/athletic/55438… – 12:30 PM

Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
Lotta talk about how Dallas won’t be able to defend the rim the same way they have been because of Porzingis in the pick and pop, and I’m over here doin the Michael Scott thank you — the threat of the popping big will loosen up rim protection.
I didn’t understand last round why… pic.twitter.com/xpoLxGVuDP – 11:10 AM

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
With Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis playing in the NBA Finals after nursing a left calf injury, various medical experts spoke to @Sportskeeda on their expectations, whether this mirrors Kevin Durant’s return in 2019 Finals & more bit.ly/4caJ4zw – 10:34 AM

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
With Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis playing in the NBA Finals after nursing a left calf injury, various medical experts spoke to @Sportskeeda on their expectations, whether this harbors concerns about Kevin Durant’s return in 2019 Finals & more bit.ly/4caJ4zw – 10:25 AM

Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
New @ringer: I took a long look at Kristaps Porzingis, whose defense (in space and at the rim) is the most significant variable in these NBA Finals: theringer.com/nba/2024/6/6/2… – 10:18 AM

David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
As has been tradition for a decade, a former Wizards player will win an NBA title. This year, it will be the Celtics’ Kristaps Porziņģis or the Mavs’ Daniel Gafford. How they got better while in D.C., and helped their new teams thrive, in @TheAthletic: nytimes.com/athletic/55438… – 9:00 AM

Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Column: “It wasn’t perfect,” said Kristaps Porzingis.
“It just didn’t work,” said Luka Doncic.
As Porzingis prepares to try to win a championship in Boston, he faced questions about why he couldn’t help deliver one in Dallas si.com/nba/kristaps-p… – 8:57 AM

Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Kristaps Porzingis said he was “a kid full of ignorance” in New York 🔙
He will now be available for Boston in Game 1 of the NBA Finals:
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/16… – 6:14 AM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
The Porzingis thing is interesting, because like @KirkSeriousFace and I talked about, he answers questions almost completely unfiltered. Maybe another guy would show more bluster about what’s obviously a difficult return. His pause, rust are potential wrinkles to this series. – 1:00 AM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Kristaps Porzingis is back. But how ready is he? @CelticsBlog celticsblog.com/2024/6/6/24172… – 12:51 AM

Brad Townsend @townbrad
From @TimCowlishaw:
Kristaps Porzingis waiting in wings to spoil NBA Finals for Mavs feels like someone’s joke dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 11:12 PM

Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
KP has gone through it all to reach NBA Finals:
“I was a kid full of just ignorance and ready to take on the world,” he told The Post. “Which is adequate for those kind of years. But now I’m much more mature and have a different kind of mindset.”
nypost.com/2024/06/05/spo… – 10:14 PM

Sign In to perform this Activity

Account Frozen

Ads