Kristaps Porzingis sheds light on how he feels about Knicks’ return

The Celtics center began his career in New York. Now, he faces the team that drafted him in the postseason for the first time.

BOSTON — When the Celtics host the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the NBA on Monday night, it’ll once again mark a reunion between Kristaps Porzingis and a former squad in a high-stakes Celtics playoff series.

Porzingis, who was drafted by the Knicks with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, heard boos on draft night almost a decade ago and had an up-and-down three-year Knicks tenure that resulted in his trading to the Dallas Mavericks in 2019 after tearing his ACL.

Now, almost six years later, the Latvian center returns to to compete against the organization with which he started his NBA career — hoping to have a better series than he did against Orlando.

It’s been a long journey from New York to Boston for Kristaps Porzingis

The 29-year-old Kristaps Porzingis is now on his fourth NBA team, having played on the Knicks (2015-2019), Mavericks (2019-22), Washington Wizards (2021-2023) and now, the Celtics.

And, Porzingis clearly recalls how many in the Knicks fanbase resented him shortly after the trade.

“My first couple games were pretty crazy there, getting booed and stuff,” he said at Celtics practice on Saturday. “But I think now the time has passed, and it’s not as recent anymore, changed a couple of teams already.”

Today, Porzingis cherishes the opportunity to compete at Madison Square Garden.

“I just always love playing there,” he said. “I love playing there on the road.”

Porzingis has historically played well against former teams.

Last year, when the Celtics beat the Mavericks in the 2024 Finals, he averaged 12.3 points on 58.3% shooting in 20 minutes across three games.

And, in 15 career games against the Knicks, Porzingis has averaged 21.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks. On April 8th, he tied his career high for most threes made in a single game in an overtime win in MSG that saw him explode for 34 points.

“I love playing there honestly, and a lot of even just people that come to the games,” he said. “I remember them from my first few years in the league — and I have a relationship with them and say hi to them before the game and talk some stuff throughout the game.”

Kristaps Porzingis notes that the pressure is on the Celtics in this match-up

The Celtics enter the second-round series against the Knicks as massive favorites — every ESPN analyst predicts the Celtics will win, and the betting odds are heavily in their favor as well.

“I believe we’re going to be the favorites and betting odds, right?” Porzingis said. “So if anything, it’s us who have more to lose because we’re supposed to win.”

“But they’re dangerous. They’re dangerous. And they’re going in as the underdog and they have all of New York behind them, and they have the capability. So it’s us that have to be on our A-game and have that same hunger we had last year.”

Porzingis was also asked about whether the Celtics will face pressure playing in an environment like Madison Square Garden.

“I can ask the same thing,” he said. “They’re gonna have to come to here to Boston and experience this — maybe ask them this question, you know?”

“New York fans are always great. Boston fans are always super invested and there to support their team. It’s going to be a between — even between the fanbases — it’s going to be a war, for sure.”