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Kristaps Porzingis is difference-maker for Celtics in NBA Finals
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis. David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Kristaps Porzingis is difference-maker for Celtics in NBA Finals

By Mike J. Asti  |  Last updated Jun 7, 2024 8:44 AM ET

When the Celtics added Kristaps Porzingis, many thought he would be the missing piece to make a Boston team that has been so close into champions. But the Celtics were unable to experience what it would be like to have Porzingis during a playoff run until Thursday night. It turns out it was worth the wait. 

Partly based on depth and injuries dismantling their opponents, the Celtics were able to cruise to the NBA Finals without Porzingis. However, they also knew Porzingis could be a difference-maker in a series against a team like the Mavericks. 

And after Boston's 107-89 Game 1 win, it's clear Porzingis will have an impact in the NBA Finals. In just over 20 minutes of action, Porzingis scored 20 points and snagged six rebounds. He made his presence felt immediately, connecting on 8-of-13 shots from the field and also blocking three shots. Porzingis' dominance helped Boston build a 21-point first-half lead that turned out to be insurmountable for the Mavericks.

When asked what he saw from Porzingis in his first game since April 29, former NBA champion, ironically from the Celtics' last championship in 2008, Kendrick Perkins hammered home what he's been saying all week on various ESPN shows. 

While no one knew exactly how Porzingis would look after such a long layoff, part of why some felt the former All-Star would help put Boston over the top is his size along. The Celtics were able to enjoy all 7-foot-2 of Porzingis as he caused just as much havoc on the defensive end as he did offensively, towering over the Mavericks and the 6-foot-7 Luka Doncic.       

Porzingis looked as healthy as ever, providing a burst of energy in the first NBA Finals game of his career. Based on his career averages of 19.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, Porzingis was actually at his very best in the biggest contest of his career to date. 

The question now becomes — what can Dallas do to neutralize Porzingis and try to avoid a repeat of Game 1? There's reason to believe a coach as smart as Jason Kidd will figure out a way to be competitive. 

Kidd does know all about mounting a comeback to win an NBA title — he was a player when the Mavericks won a championship after losing two of their first three games of the 2011 NBA Finals to the heavily favored Miami Heat. But at the same time, it's also possible Game 1 showed why Porzingis is the one player Dallas simply doesn't have an answer for. 

No matter what happens, Porzingis will be ready for whatever adjustments the Mavericks make. 

Mike J. Asti
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Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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