{"id":613242,"date":"2026-02-20T07:45:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T07:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/613242\/"},"modified":"2026-02-20T07:45:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T07:45:15","slug":"porzingis-rusty-but-provides-spark-in-12-point-warriors-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/613242\/","title":{"rendered":"Porzingis rusty but provides spark in 12-point Warriors debut"},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN FRANCISCO —Kristaps Porzingis<\/a>made his Warriors<\/a> debutThursday night in a 121-110<\/a> home loss to the Boston Celtics<\/a>that never felt close.<\/p>\n

This was only Porzingis’ 18th game of the season and his first since Jan. 7, when he was with the Atlanta Hawks<\/a>, nearly a month before his deadline trade to the Warriors.<\/p>\n

Because of that, the Warriors slow-played his return, bringing Porzingis off the bench and limiting him to 17 minutes. Porzingis opened slow, missing his first two shots and struggling to keep up with a Celtics’ offensive avalanche.<\/p>\n

Boston outscored the Warriors 38-19 in the second quarter and led by 32 when Porzingis reentered the game late in the third quarter. Celtics starJaylen Brown<\/a>finished with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists.<\/p>\n

“Boston was incredible,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “They’re having an amazing season. They’re a machine right now.”<\/p>\n

But the Warriors did rally and briefly threatened to cut the Boston lead to single digits, in part because of a Porzingis surge. He hit two long 3s, had a pair of successful post-ups and finished with 12 points. The Warriors outscored the Celtics by 15 points with Porzingis on the court in the second half after a minus-19 during his minutes in the first half.<\/p>\n

“He just looked more comfortable and settled in,” Kerr said.<\/p>\n

Porzingis said he’d like to up his minutes “as quickly as possible.”<\/p>\n

“Even tonight, I would’ve liked to go longer,” Porzingis said. “Even if I’m exhausted out there, I still want to push myself. But I know I have to take it step by step. Add a couple minutes next game hopefully.”<\/p>\n

The Warriors face the Denver Nuggets<\/a> on Sunday (12:30 p.m. PT, ABC). They will remain without Jimmy Butler<\/a>, who tore his ACL and is done for the season, and Stephen Curry<\/a>, whose persistent right knee issue will keep him sidelined at least four games<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Without their two best players, the reeling Warriors have dropped to 29-27 and need Porzingis to gain a rhythm and gear up rapidly for a needed offensive boost.<\/p>\n

“I felt all right,” Porzingis said. “Far from being in perfect shape. But I think for first game back after a while, getting some energy back, I’m feeling good.”br\/]<\/p>\n

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