It had been a long time since Kristaps Porzingis took the floor at American Airlines Center as a visitor – more than seven years ago, to be exact, Jan. 7, 2018.
When he finally got back on the court, he did so in triumphant fashion, in more ways than one, but he also had a cautionary assessment of the Boston Celtics less than a year removed from having won the NBA Finals last season in five games over the Mavericks.
Porzingis, the 7-4 center dubbed the “Unicorn,” has came back to the AAC as a champion, and not just for his role last season helping the Celtics to the title.
But Porzingis also was a winner Saturday evening as the Celtics took down the Mavericks 122-107. The former Maverick had 18 points, five assists, four rebounds and two blocks while hitting three of his five three-point shots.
When he was done, Porzingis was asked what’s different this season about the Celtics, who have a relatively pedestrian 11-9 record in their last 20 games.
“We’re definitely working toward getting our killer instinct back,” Porzingis said. “Some moments we’ve looked very good, some moments not so good, some moments we’ve cruised a little bit. It’s been a mix of everything.”
Then he got a bit more down to earth with his analysis that being defending champions can impact a team adversely at times.
“It definitely plays a part,” he said. “We were a lion last season. And some games this year, we’ve looked like a house cat.”
Porzingis has played only 21 games this season, but he’s averaged 19 points and seven rebounds while playing about 28 minutes per game. If Porzingis maintains his scoring average, it would be his lowest since his second season in the league.
But the Celtics have plenty of scoring. They need him defensively and as a big man who can spread the floor to create space for Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and others. And Porzingis did that Saturday.
“He poses a threat for our fives (centers) and being able to bring them out on the perimeter, make them guard the perimeter and have the rotations,” Kyrie Irving said of Porzingis. “It kind of hurt last year (in the playoffs). They’re trying to get the matchup they want, make us get in rotations and get open threes.
“We just got to be ready to listen to what our game plan is and also make adjustments as players out there when we see them again on Feb. 6.”
That’s when the Mavericks get a rematch in Boston to end the upcoming five-game trip that starts Wednesday in New Orleans.
It was interesting that Porzingis got neither a positive response or consistent boos from the sellout crowd. Time apparently has erased any ill well or warm-and-fuzzies.
Last season with Boston and in 2022-23 with Washington, Porzingis was inactive when his teams visited AAC. The four seasons before that, he was either hurt with New York or was a member of the Mavericks
“This is the first time, it’s weird,” he said. “It was good. It’s always a nice atmosphere here, good memories from here. I have, not good, great relationships here with many people. I miss a lot of these nice people. It’s always good to come back.”
And he said he also has stayed aware of what is going on with the Mavericks, who have been battling a long list of injuries, including a calf strain to Luka Dončić that has sidelined him since Christmas.
“Honestly, they haven’t had the best luck this year, especially Luka being out such a long time,” Porzingis said. “It’s tough without him. It’s completely different without him, obviously. I wish them good health and to have their roster at full strength and wish them continued success from last season.”
As for the Celtics, even with their lukewarm stretch in the last six weeks, they still have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference at 32-14.
But they feel they have plenty of room to grow.
“We want to have that spirit as a team this year and it’s tough,” he said. “We can’t trick ourselves and make it like the playoffs every game. It’s human nature. But we know the group we have and we know we’re going to bring it to the big games. But we need to bring it consistently and keep building on good wins like tonight.”
“So I think it’s important for us to keep adding to what we have in these games, keep pushing each other and keep holding each other accountable. And I think it’s happening. Just patience and not overreacting to every little bump in the road.”
Kleber the latest injury victim: The Mavericks simply cannot stop the onslaught of bad news on the injury front.
They got two players back Saturday, albeit on limited minutes, but then found out after the loss to Boston that big man Maxi Kleber had suffered a fracture to his right ankle.
The team released a statement saying Kleber would be re-evaluated this week.
In his postgame news conference, coach Jason Kidd said that the injury situation at center is reaching the critical stage. Starter Dereck Lively II is out with a stress fracture in his right ankle and Dwight Powell is out with a hip injury.
The only big men left standing are Daniel Gafford and Markieff Morris, although P.J. Washington has been filling in as a makeshift center when the Mavericks play smaller lineups.
On the bright side Klay Thompson and Jaden Hardy returned from the injured list, but were limited. Thompson played 26 minutes, Hardy 15.
Helping out in Oakland: Mavericks’ coach Jason Kidd has joined forces with Boston All-Star Jaylen Brown to help promote the Oakland XChange.
The initiative is a spinoff of Boston XChange, which Brown helped create.
The XChange is a pioneering partnership between the two as part of a national strategy to bridge the racial wealth gap, according to the project’s website.
By integrating real estate development, business incubation and culturally competent community engagement, the XChange fosters economic growth and cultural innovation.
“The XChange is doing well,” Kidd said. “I was able to partner with JB this past summer. It’s been a great experience.
“We talked about JB’s vision to help the community. I was moved by what he was trying to do and wanted to be a part of that. The partnership has been great. His vision of helping others is like no other and so, I wanted to be part of that.”
Briefly: The Mavericks had a 16-6 lead at one point, but then fell victim to a 45-19 Celtics blitz. “They started off the game well, they had a good game plan,” Porzingis said. “They were switching all kinds of defenses and we weren’t getting to our usual spots. But as the game went on, we started making better reads and taking over the game.” . . . The Mavericks got a season-best 15 rebounds from Daniel Gafford. No Celtic reached double-figure rebounding, but they still won the glass overall 51-49 . . . The Mavericks will play Washington at AAC on Monday before starting the five-game trip in New Orleans on Wednesday. They will play every other day on the journey.
X: @ESefko
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