Kristaps Porzingis returns and leads Celtics to victory over Nets

On Saturday night, March 15, 2025, Kristaps Porzingis made a significant return to the Boston Celtics after being sidelined for eight games due to an illness. This game was against the Brooklyn Nets at their home arena in New York. The 7-foot-3 center had not played since February 26, 2025, in a loss to the Detroit Pistons. Despite missing several games, Porzingis had been averaging 18.9 points in the season and had appeared in only 32 games so far, which made his comeback all the more important for his team. The Celtics also had star players Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in the starting lineup, although they were both listed as questionable earlier in the day due to the grueling nature of back-to-back games the team had experienced. They had clinched a playoff spot following a previous win in Miami on Friday. In Porzingis’s highly anticipated return, he played a crucial role in the Celtics’ 115-113 victory against the Nets, showcasing why they rely on him as part of their starting lineup. He scored an impressive 24 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, where he played a pivotal role in preventing the Nets from making a complete comeback after they had cut the lead to just two points. The Celtics had started the game strong, gaining a 21-point lead thanks to a 25-7 run to open the second quarter, but the Nets relentlessly chipped away at that margin. Additional support came from Payton Pritchard, who added 22 points, while Jayson Tatum contributed 20 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Unfortunately, the Celtics were also dealing with injuries, as Derrick White and Al Horford were inactive for this game. Furthermore, during the match, Jaylen Brown suffered back spasms and had to leave the game, introducing more challenges for the team. Despite the struggles, Porzingis’s performance was remarkable, particularly in key moments where he delivered clutch plays to solidify their lead. Not only did he convert a three-point play, but he also hit a crucial three-pointer when the game became close in the fourth quarter, helping to maintain control for the Celtics. In addition to the challenges faced by Boston, the Nets were grappling with their issues, having announced that their leading scorer Cam Thomas would miss the remainder of the season due to a strained hamstring. This injury followed a series of setbacks that had limited Thomas’s availability throughout the season, and the Nets have only won one of their last eleven games. The loss against the Celtics marked their tenth defeat in the last eleven outings, highlighting the struggles Brooklyn has faced this season.