NBA Finals Game 1: Kristaps Porzingis dazzles at both ends as Celtics destroy Mavericks
- Porzingis missed 10 games after straining his right calf in the playoffs but makes an immediate impact to help his team build a record lead
Kristaps Porzingis returned from a 10-game absence to record 20 points off the bench as the Boston Celtics snuffed a second-half rally to beat the Dallas Mavericks 107-89 on Thursday night in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Porzingis had not played since Game 4 of Boston’s first-round series against the Miami Heat because of a right-calf strain. He seemed unfazed by the long lay-off, though, shooting 8-for-13 from the field while collecting six rebounds and three blocks.
After trailing by as many as 29 late in the first half, Dallas got back into the game thanks to a third-quarter burst headlined by Luka Doncic.
The star guard accounted for 10 points during the Mavericks’ 22-9 surge to open the frame, with his three-pointer cutting Dallas’ deficit to 72-64 with 4:28 to go.
The Celtics responded emphatically, rattling off the next 14 points to take a 22-point lead.
Daniel Gafford closed the third with a pair of free throws to get Dallas to within 20, but the Mavericks trailed by at least 17 for the entirety of the fourth.