Watch: Porzingis erupts in first quarter of Celtics debut

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) hangs on the rim after a dunk in the first quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Kristaps Porzingis erupts for 15 points in first quarter of Celtics debut

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 10/25/23

Kristaps Porzingis's debut in Boston went about as well as the Celtics could have hoped.

He finished the first quarter of Boston's opener against the Knicks with 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting as Boston built a 30-18 lead.

Kristaps first quarter as a Celtic:

15 PTS
5-8 FG
3-5 3P
2-2 FT

Locked in. https://t.co/VEVN4KNxdM
— StatMuse (@statmuse) October 25, 2023

He scored his first bucket on an alley-oop by Derrick White and followed it with an easy bucket on a pick-and-roll with Jaylen Brown.

Kristaps Porzingis throws down the alley-oop for his first bucket as a Boston Celtic!#KiaTipOff23 | Live on ESPN | BOS/NYK pic.twitter.com/ujjvpUvF2V
— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2023

Jaylen-Porzingis PnR. Unbelievably easy offense pic.twitter.com/WKLBoV05Uh
— Pull up shoot (@NElGHT_) October 25, 2023

Porzingis was a threat from everyone on the court, connecting on three threes as well, including two on back-to-back possessions.

Porzingis drills back-to-back threes! ‍

15 1Q points pic.twitter.com/tDjbRmUyN4
— NBA TV (@NBATV) October 25, 2023

The Celtics acquired Porzingis and two draft picks during the offseason as part of a three-team deal with the Wizards and Grizzlies that sent Marcus Smart to Memphis and Tyus Jones, Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala and the No. 35 pick of the 2023 NBA Draft to the Wizards.

While a time might come when Boston misses Smart's defense, Porzingis's early offensive explosion would make it seem those instances will be far and few between.

Per Oddschecker, Boston (+370) is the favorite to win the NBA title this season. If the Celtics get this version of Porzingis all season long, that will be a smart bet.

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