Kristaps Porzingis is enjoying his second season with the Boston Celtics and might be just months away from becoming a champion again.
On Wednesday night, Porzingis was a huge part of the team’s 109-100 win over the Orlando Magic.
When the game was over, head coach Joe Mazzulla talked to ESPN and praised the way that Porzingis plays and thinks.
“I think he has an ability, an innate ability, to take things very serious, and at the same time have great perspective,” Mazzulla said. “You see how, I think, he can control his environment really well with how he handles the crowd and how he handles the physicality of it, and he can maintain his poise, and he just has a great way about him. I think that that helps us.”
Porzingis was definitely handling the crowd and the physicality on Wednesday.
Things got chippy between the Celtics and Magic and Porzingis was completely fine with that.
Even when he got hit in the forehead and started to bleed all over his face, Porzingis was happy and enjoying every second of it.
The crowd was involved, chanting and cheering for him, and the moment seemed to make everyone more engaged.
Porzingis ended with 20 points and 10 rebounds for the night.
In 2024-25, Porzingis averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 48.3 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from the three-point line.
Yes, he has suffered from injuries again, but he is looking good right now, even as he gets banged up on the court.
Mazzulla spoke of Porzingis’ mindset and his perspective, which is all about fighting and embracing the cerebral and physical elements of the game.
The Celtics want him to keep playing like this and hope he can stay healthy and engaged in this series and beyond.
NEXT: Joe Mazzulla Raves About Jaylen Brown After Big Performance Against Magic
