Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett explain Kristaps Porzingis’ greatest impact with Celtics

The Boston Celtics have largely forged a path to the 2024 NBA Finals without having to rely on Kristaps Porzingis.

Porzingis has not played since Game 4 of Boston’s opening-round series against the Heat due to a calf strain, with the Celtics going 9-1 over their last 10 games with their big man on the mend. 

While the Celtics managed to carve a swath through the Eastern Conference without Porzingis, their biggest challenge is still ahead as they aim to topple the Mavericks in the NBA Finals.

Speaking on the latest episode of the “Ticket & The Truth” podcast, Celtics legends Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett discussed Porzingis’ impact on the Celtics and the advantage his likely return to the court will give his team once the Finals tip off on Thursday night.

Porzingis, who was a full participant in practice Saturday and is on track to make his return in time for Game 1 against Dallas, is not the primary scorer on Boston’s stacked starting five. 

But the 7-foot-2 center’s ability to knock down 3-pointers, score in the paint, defend the rim, and expand Boston’s offensive capabilities with his post game made him the missing piece on a Celtics team that boasts few weaknesses when healthy.

“I think for him, the beauty about him is he doesn’t have to be the best player,” Pierce said of Porzingis. “Just his presence alone on the defensive end, with his height and his athleticism to block shots, his shooting ability. That’s a presence that makes this offense unlock even more. … I know he’s not going to be fully 100% (healthy). His presence is everything to unlock that offense and defense.” 

Porzingis’ current teammates echoed a similar sentiment about Porzingis’ ability to elevate Boston’s roster — with his presence alone freeing up easier baskets for top scorers like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, while his defense steers opposing players away from the paint.

“He does a great job of just making it difficult for them and it’s always nice to know that he’s back there,” Derrick White said of Porzingis on Saturday. “Whether he blocks it or doesn’t block it, he makes them think about it. So, that’s been really great, having him on our side and doing the things he did day in and day out, so once he comes back and gets in the flow of things, it’s going to be nice.”

Even though Porzingis has been limited for over a month while recovering from his calf injury, Garnett stressed that the Celtics have had the ability to not rush the big man back ahead of schedule, while Boston’s extended time off to rest and practice before the NBA Finals should also allow Porzingis to get back into the swing of things.  

“Him on the court makes the Celtics another level on both ends. … He’s been out two series,” Garnett said. “I’m pretty sure he’s getting shots up and still in a rhythm.”

“It’ll just be about his durability and how long you can have him out there. But it’s a plus because look at the Celtics, they’ve been doing all this without him. But, now you get a piece like that back … this is the Celtics’ window right here, for a three, four-year, run, too.”

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