Kristaps Porzingis scored 21 points in the Celtics’ 133-123 victory over the Knicks, making his first seven shots.
Kristaps Porzingis returned after a four-game layoff due to a left calf strain to help the Boston Celtics move to 10-0 at TD Garden.
Seven of those wins have come by double digits, including Friday’s 133-123 victory against the New York Knicks.
Porzingis re-entered the lineup in rhythm, which was evident in this one. He didn’t miss a beat, scoring the opening eight points for the hosts and hitting his first seven attempts.
From burying three of his six attempts from beyond the arc to his work in the mid-post, repeatedly getting the ball with his back to the basket, then facing up and shooting over his defender, the former All-Star was a formidable force.
Porzingis finished with 21 points on 7/13 shooting, helping propel Boston past his former team.
After the victory, when asked how his left calf held up and how he felt after his return, he told Abby Chin of NBC Sports Boston, “Felt great out there. Of course, a little bit at first, wind in the first quarter hit me. But overall, I felt good and happy about coming back and getting a win.”
Porzingis also discussed Jaylen Brown’s performance, the latter’s first-career ejection, and the importance of the balance the Celtics demonstrated on a night where all five starters scored in double-figures.
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Celtics’ Jaylen Brown fires back at ‘overemotional ref who had a bad day’
The Boston Celtics edged out the New York Knicks on Friday, 133-123. While players are usually in good spirits after getting a win, the case was not so for Jaylen Brown, who received his first career ejection. Speaking to the media, Brown made his feelings known towards the referee who tossed him out.
“I wish I would’ve got my money’s worth. I always thought my first career ejection would be something a little more exciting, Maybe a tussle or something, you know guys getting folded up, going to the ground, not some overemotional ref who had a bad day,” Brown said, via Celtics on CLNS.
Around the 7:19 mark of the fourth quarter, Brown was called for a reach-in foul on Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley. Resenting the call, Brown had a couple of words for the referee, which resulted in his first technical foul. After heading to the bench, Brown continued talking, which prompted the referee to make the questionable call. An avalanche of boos descended upon the officials as the entire TD Garden let their displeasure be heard.
The eight-year veteran also cleared the air on his actions, stating that he never directed anything disrespectful towards the official.
“I think there’s a difference between showing emotion and being disrespectful or derogatory towards another person. I don’t think I was directing it towards him,” Brown added. “Especially on the second one, I was on the bench. I’m talking from the sideline — he can’t even hear anything I’m saying”
Jaylen Brown managed to produce 17 points before the drama unfolded. Following the game, plenty of Celtics fans expressed their frustrations, claiming that referees have been overly trigger-happy with the whistle.
As for Brown, he might want to be ready in case the NBA hands over an additional fine, considering how the league frowns upon players publicly criticizing officials. However, it will be interesting to see what steps the league might take in the future to address this growing issue.
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