Celtics' Porzingis could face a hostile reception in Dallas

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis. Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis could face a hostile reception in Dallas

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Jun 3, 2024 4:17 PM ET

Kristaps Porzingis spent two and a half seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, but his partnership with Luka Doncic failed to yield the desired returns.

As such, Porzingis found himself being traded to the Washington Wizards. Now, the veteran big man will face off against his former team in the NBA Finals with the Boston Celtics.

On Monday's episode of FanDuel TV's "Run It Back," former Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons revealed that Porzingis could have a hostile reception when playing at the American Airlines Center.

"Luka did not like playing with him," Parsons said. "There's an actual beef there. It's gonna be that every time he touches the ball, he's getting booed. I think it's known. It didn't work out ... There is a situation here ... I think there is more motivation for both of these players. It will definitely be more gnarly for Kyrie Irving. But I guarantee Porzingis gets booed every time he touches the ball."

Chandler Parsons says no one likes Kristaps Porzingis in Dallas

“They do not like Porzingis in Dallas… Luka did not like playing with him, there is an actual beef there”

( @RunItBackFDTV )

pic.twitter.com/6RjUf2X0zJ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 3, 2024

Porzingis has missed most of the postseason due to a right soleus strain, but he's expected to return to the rotation in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. He is seen as a genuine X-Factor for the Cetlics, primarily due to his ability to space the floor and defend the rim at a high level.

Regardless of whether Porzingis receives a frosty reception from the Mavericks fans or not, he will be expected to play to the best of his abilities. He's played in front of tough crowds before, most notably whenever he returns to Madison Square Garden and faces the New York Knicks fanbase.

Both the Celtics and Mavericks crowds are going to be rowdy, that's part of the territory when a championship is on the line. Brad Stevens acquired Porzingis because he believed the veteran could help get the Celtics over the hump. Now, he can win his first championship while facing a former team.

Nevertheless, Porzingis and his teammates must remain focused. They can't get caught up in the narratives and undertones of the series. The best way he can silence the crowd is by having a big performance and earning a championship ring. Because then, nothing anyone says can take that achievement away from him or his teammates.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

More must-reads: