Porzingis Shows Promise Despite Rust in Warriors Debut Against Celtics

The Golden State Warriors welcomed Kristaps Porzingis to their lineup Thursday night, but his debut came in a 121–110 home loss to the Boston Celtics that underscored both his potential impact and the challenges ahead.

Playing at Chase Center in San Francisco, Porzingis appeared in his first game since Jan. 7 and just his 18th contest of the season. Prior to being acquired by Golden State at the trade deadline, he had been with the Atlanta Hawks. Given his extended layoff, the Warriors opted for a cautious approach, bringing him off the bench and limiting him to 17 minutes.

Porzingis showed early signs of rust, missing his first two shot attempts and adjusting to the pace of a Celtics team that has been among the league’s most dominant this season. Boston seized control in the second quarter, outscoring Golden State 38–19 to build a commanding advantage. By the time Porzingis returned late in the third quarter, the Warriors trailed by 32 points.

Celtics star Jaylen Brown delivered a standout performance, finishing with 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists to power Boston’s balanced attack. Warriors coach Steve Kerr praised the opposition afterward, describing the Celtics as “a machine” and commending their exceptional season.

Despite the lopsided score, the Warriors mounted a spirited rally in the second half, fueled in part by Porzingis’ offensive spark. The 7-foot-3 forward connected on two long-range three-pointers and converted a pair of post-up opportunities, finishing with 12 points. His presence noticeably shifted the momentum: Golden State outscored Boston by 15 points during his second-half minutes after being outscored by 19 while he was on the floor in the first half.

Kerr noted the improvement in Porzingis’ rhythm as the game progressed, observing that he appeared more comfortable and settled after halftime. For Porzingis, the outing represented an important first step in regaining form and conditioning.

“I felt all right,” Porzingis said after the game. “Far from being in perfect shape. But for a first game back after a while, getting some energy back, I’m feeling good.”

The Latvian big man expressed eagerness to increase his workload, emphasizing his desire to push himself physically while acknowledging the need for patience. He hopes to gradually add minutes in upcoming games as he works toward peak condition.

Golden State’s need for reinforcements is particularly urgent. The team remains without forward Jimmy Butler, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear, and star guard Stephen Curry, sidelined by a persistent right knee issue. With two of their primary offensive options unavailable, the Warriors have struggled to maintain consistency and have fallen to 29–27 on the season.

Their next test comes Sunday against the Denver Nuggets, a formidable Western Conference opponent. As Golden State seeks stability and a late-season surge, Porzingis’ integration into the rotation will be pivotal.

While Thursday’s result was decisive, the Warriors can take some encouragement from Porzingis’ second-half contributions. If he can quickly regain conditioning and rhythm, his size, shooting range, and interior scoring could provide the offensive lift the team desperately needs in the weeks ahead.