Image Source: NBA Sports
[Saba Sports News] Kristaps Porzingis, once celebrated by fans of the New York Knicks, faced a barrage of boos during his return to Madison Square Garden with the Celtics. Despite the hostile reception as he was announced in the starting lineup, Porzingis delivered a strong performance, contributing 22 points on 7/11 shooting, along with 4 rebounds and 4 assists, aiding the Celtics to a 116-102 victory over the Knicks.
Embracing the negative attention, Porzingis expressed during the postgame press conference that he finds enjoyment in the boos, noting they have intensified since his move to the Celtics, a team with a storied rivalry with the Knicks. He emphasized his preference for any form of emotional response from the crowd over apathy, indicating that he values engagement, whether positive or negative.
Having a standout first season with the Celtics, Porzingis has played 42 games, averaging 20.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and achieving a career-high in field goal percentage at 52.7%. With the Knicks and Celtics both positioned for a potential playoff encounter, Porzingis anticipates the boos could grow even louder, highlighting the intense rivalry and his controversial figure among Knicks fans.