By Andrew Rosario
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
When Kristaps Porzingis was drafted by the New York Knicks he was supposed to take the franchise to the next level. At 7’3, Porzingis could do it all. Drain three pointers, mid-range jump shots and ball handling skills of a point guard. Defensively, he blocked shots and limited opposition from getting in the paint. In 2018, he represented the Knicks in the All-Star game. Injuries took its toll and he was at odds with then President and General Manager Phil Jackson. After 3 years, the man Kevin Durant called him “The Unicorn” was shipped out to the Dallas Mavericks. That relationship did not last long and Dallas traded him to the Washington Wizards. That did not last long either as Porzingis was traded to the Boston Celtics where he signed a 2-year, $60 million dollar extension. This past Wednesday night, Porzingis returned to Madison Sqaure Garden as the Knicks hosted the Celtics in their 2023-2024 season opener. Porzingis reminded the New York fan base why he was drafted in the first place.
In the 108-104 Celtics win, KP scored 30 points, setting a Boston record for most points in a Celtics debut. Pretty impressive given the number of super stars that have worn the green and white. The big man got off to a quick start, scoring 15 of the team’s first 30 points in the first quarter. Celtics forward Jayson Tatum led all scorers with 34 points. Knicks RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickly scored 24 points each as the Knicks took a 1-point lead (87-86) after Barrett converted a technical foul free throw. The Knicks were up 4 (101-97) with 2:34 and were looking to put the Celtics away.
Porzingis had other plans as he scored the Celtics last nine points hitting 6 free throws sandwiched by a 3-pointer to come away with the win. Said Porzingis afterward coming back to the Garden as a member of the Celtics, “it’s an awesome feeling to come back being a Celtic. Even getting booed, and getting all that it’s still cool. I really like that and enjoy that. But most importantly, we won the game and I’m very excited about what we have ahead of us. I wish the Knicks and this city and the organization nothing but the best.”
The Knicks look get their first win of the season tonight as they take on the Atlanta Hawks in their first road game of the year.
